Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Blast from the Past Part I; Civil War Finale Fluff
Topic Started: 20th November 2006 - 03:37 PM (339 Views)
SneakyRodent
Member Avatar
Claws of the Horned One founder member

The test chamber deep within the bowls of Clan Skarratch territory was set. A huge subterranean cavern, it had been hollowed out in extreme secrecy a number of months ago. The Claws of the Horned One had been busy indeed; faced with defeat by the Children of the Warp the faction’s leaders had decided on one last, desperate plan. Now weeks of plotting and design were about to be put to the ultimate test.

Warlord Wynnar was present and representatives from Father Squee’s plague monks too. Although no doubt there was a large element of risk with this experiment, time was of the essence. The very survival of the Claws rested on the success of this trial, and Wynnar had insisted on being here to witness it. Father Squee would have been here too, but he apparently had some very urgent business. Rumour was he and his followers had been seen near the dungeons of the Screaming Soul’s tower.

Several Warlock Engineers scuttled around the small metallic contraption that was set dead centre to the room. There was a rising sense of excitement. The Engineers led by Warlock Vuskritt were making last minute adjustments to the device, which was about the size of a poisoned wind globe. A dark green core pulsed dully, and thirteen metal spokes pierced the spherically shaped creation.

‘We-we are ready to proceed’ advised the Chief Engineer, smoothing his whiskers nervously before the presence of the towering Warlord. Wynnar nodded. ‘Continue,’ he ordered, the harsh metallic voice masking his own sense of expectancy. By the Horned One, if this worked then the Claws were set to not just win the Civil War in the North but perhaps begin a conquest of the old World itself.

‘Masks-masks down!’ shouted an Engineer. The audience all lowered their anti-flare goggles, subconsciously edging back from the epicentre of the cavern. ‘Proceed to-to stage one activation.’

Chief Engineer Vuskritt pulled a small metallic box from his belt. Giving an unduly exaggerated flourish, he proceeded to push several runes upon its surface before clamping the device to the sphere in the centre of the cave. The object began to hum softly, and the dull green became brighter. Stepping back carefully, Vuskritt called to one of his subordinates who was monitoring a large metal machine. ‘Confirm activation of-of warpstone core,’

The other Engineer gave a little thumbs-up gesture. ‘Core-core activated. Am showing energy spike-spikes within normal tolerance levels. Output at-at one hundred percent.’

Vuskritt gave a wide grin. Perfect! Turning to Warlord Wynnar he spoke. ‘My Lord, as-as you can see our-our efforts have not been in vain. We can set up a larger form of-of this prototype and control its power to explode at-at a time of our choosing.’

Warlord Wynnar nodded slowly. This would indeed be excellent news to relay to Father Squee. ‘Very good-good. Make sure you…..what-what…..?’ The Warlord’s words were cut off by a violent crackle of electricity. It seemed to originate from the quivering sphere in the centre of the cavern, earthing quickly through the body of an unfortunate Stormvermin bodyguard. The rat’s body simply evaporated into dust.

‘Energy levels increasing!’ squealed the Engineer at the monitoring machine. ‘One hundred and twenty times normal…….one hundred and-and thirty…..’

‘Shut it-it down!’ bellowed Warlord Wynnar, struggling to move. By the Horned One, what was happening? The test device was now lost in a nimbus cloud of colours and light, a roaring vortex of energy that was expanding slowly and advancing implacably to the edges of the cave. Movement was almost impossible. It was like trying to swim through treacle. Every rat in the room was finding it difficult to breathe, let alone flee.
Vuskritt tried futilely to reach the warp sphere. More electrical discharges flashed past him, some striking rock, others vaporising spectators. ‘I….I can’t……’ he gasped. What was happening? Time seemed to be coming to a stop, the only constant movement was the rapidly approaching light…..

Warlord Wynnar bit his own tongue in frustration. They were not going to get out of this cave before the light consumed them. Of all the pointless ways to die….powerless, the huge Skaven could only force his head to turn and watch his advancing doom…but as he did, his eyes, still protected by his visor, widened in surprise.

Inside the maelstrom of colour and sound, vague outlines could be made out. They advanced through the chaos in perfect ranks. Every rat present felt their fur stiffen as the forms solidified before them.

The newcomers were Skaven. Clad in deep purple cloaks pulled tightly around gleaming metal armour, they grasped their halberds with a grim determination. A symbol was emblazoned upon their chest plates…. one that belonged in the past, an image of a Clan long gone and existing in memory alone.

It was the mark of Clan Virulus.

One of the newcomers stooped and pulled at something. Immediately the light and terrible noise were gone. As if invisible bonds had suddenly been cut, the Skaven in the cavern found themselves free to move and breathe again. Tearing off his visor Wynnar wondered when the pounding in his head and ears would stop, but his disorientation did not prevent him drawing his sword and pointing it toward the strangers. ‘Halt-halt! Identify yourselves!’ he challenged.

Cautiously, two of the new rats approached. The taller of the two looked the Skarratch leader up and down before responding. His voice tone was eerily un-Skaven, although the words themselves were perfectly clear. ‘You-you are Warlord Wynnar? Of Clan…Skarratch? Then we are near-near the fabled city of Middenheim?’

Warlord Wynnar growled. ‘Are-are you mad? I am-am one of the best known Warlords in this land. And Middenheim is where-where it has always been. Who-who asks? And why-why do you wear the mark of Clan Virulus?’ As Wynnar spoke, his eyes swept over the new warriors. There must be over a hundred of them, all heavily armed and clad in that suspiciously shiny armour. The Virulus insignia that he first thought had been painted on could now be seen to be actually wrought into the metal itself.

‘My apologies,’ replied the large rat. ‘I appreciate that this-this must be startling for you, but I and my Claw pack have been training years for-for such an incident as this-this. We are indeed Clan Virulus; my name is-is Chieftain Fellpaw, and we-we are here to help you.’

The Virulus rat nodded to his companion. This rat, also clad in stainless armour and a dark purple cloak, had a number of tools and mysterious items of equipment fastened to his belt. He also carried an oddly designed Warp Condenser strapped to his back. ‘This is-is Warlock Master Voltz. You will find-find his assistance invaluable.’

The newly introduced Warlock Master tossed the activation device that he had plucked from the test sphere toward the dumbstruck Vuskritt. ‘You-you forgot to allow for warp flux variance didn’t you?’ he squeeked conversationally. ‘You opened a rift-rift in time and space that-that would have destroyed this world and our own.’ He shook his head. ‘Grey Seer Skritchit foresaw that-that you would attempt to recreate the Doom Hemisphere, and in-in his wisdom prepared us for it. Now….show me what you have, and we can-can ensure that you do not make this error again.’

Warlord Wynnar tried to keep up with the Warlock’s conversation, but decided to concentrate on the warrior leader instead. How could anyone know about the Claw’s Doom Hemisphere project?

‘Grey Seer Skritchit? He lives? Where-where is he now?’ he demanded. If Skritchit thought he could just waltz back into the Ulricsberg as Lord then Wynnar could see things getting very unpleasant. Very quickly.

Fellpaw smiled as if sensing the other’s mood. ‘I will gladly give-give a full explanation to all your Faction leaders, assuming the-the Claws of the Horned One still survive? But for you I will-will provide a brief summary. The Honoured Seer is where-where he has been for the last five hundred years. He rule-rules the lands of Skavendom and ensures we survive, carrying the words and-and wishes of the Horned One to all corners of the-the world. Because of-of his foresight we are here now; to save you-you from your attempts at activating what you-you call a Doom Hemisphere and destroying us all. Voltz can teach-teach your Engineers how to proceed in that endeavour safely. And the rest of-of my Claw….’ Here Fellpaw made a sweeping gesture that took in his assembled warriors, ‘…can help you in-in any battles in which you need them.’

Warlord Wynnar blinked slowly. Father Squee had to hear about this. ‘Indeed,’ he answered as neutrally as he could. ‘Allow me the courtesy of-of summoning some more of my Stormvermin to properly….escort you and your warriors to-to somewhere a little more...welcoming.

If it didn’t already hurt, Wynnar would have bitten his tongue again.
Grey Seer Skritchit
Lord of the Ulricsberg
Clan Virulus
Holder of 'Best Post' Award 2007 here
Took part in the glorious Lords of Decay Revolution of April 1st 2012

The complete works of SneakyRodent can be found here

.:WarWolt The Mad Engineer:.
 
Sneaky is Sneaky, why is the sky blue?
[/size]
Quote:
 
We've got a psychic creeper, a tactical master, and a liar who talked himself out of an execution.

(Scrivener on the Scum And Villainy2 characters of me, DamnedPrince and himself)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
FatherSquee
Member Avatar
Holder of Clan Pestilens "Most Sexiest" Award

oooooh!
I got chills reading it!

So did Wynnar help you out with it then?
I guess that means you sorta went the wrong way when you were trying to go to the past eh?

(man I hope this isn't a double post...damn work computers)

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
FatherSquee
Member Avatar
Holder of Clan Pestilens "Most Sexiest" Award

See? It's so good my freaking computer double posted!
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
SneakyRodent
Member Avatar
Claws of the Horned One founder member

LOL, just put it down to temporal energies caused by the detonation of too many Doom Hemispheres :P

Erm...no, Wynnar didn't. I got a PM from him a little while back so thought I'd use him as a high level spectator. I would have used Squee but your <ahem> visual impairment would have been a bit tricky to write around! :D Besides, you were on your way to release Rattsu from confinement!

As for where I ended up......part II will be up shortly.
Grey Seer Skritchit
Lord of the Ulricsberg
Clan Virulus
Holder of 'Best Post' Award 2007 here
Took part in the glorious Lords of Decay Revolution of April 1st 2012

The complete works of SneakyRodent can be found here

.:WarWolt The Mad Engineer:.
 
Sneaky is Sneaky, why is the sky blue?
[/size]
Quote:
 
We've got a psychic creeper, a tactical master, and a liar who talked himself out of an execution.

(Scrivener on the Scum And Villainy2 characters of me, DamnedPrince and himself)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Warlord Wynnar
Member Avatar
Lord Of Ulricsberg
Well, I can help in the part II if you want... last weeks have been hectic as I was involved in a theater play, Shakespeare's The Tempest... made lights for it and ran the music and sound effects... glad that is over, now I have some freetime again. B)
Clan Skarratch

Posted Image

Banner in progress...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
daemonic badger
Member Avatar
Veteran/OAP
Could this be the long anticipated return of Skritchit?:P


Nice piece, eagerly awaiting Part 2:P


One quesiotn if he's now in control of the timeline-does he still make Shadow-walker? (I certainly hope so :P)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · Fan Fiction and Fluff · Next Topic »
Add Reply