Who Really Was Kelbor Hal? – Part 4

Title: The Dark Mechanicum: Resurgence of Mars

Part of a sweeping multi-part series, we delve into the tumultuous upheaval that shook the red planet, Mars, to its very core. This is a tale of grand designs and rebirth, of billions laboring in factories and plants, and a civilization forever changed by the unleashed forces.

As the bells tolled in the somber valleys of Mount Olympus, a profound transformation was underway. The air was thick with endless praises and the clamoring of fanatics who sought out those resistant to the new era. Their unwillingness to embrace change served as the lifeblood for the emergent machines, their sacrifice fueling a technological renaissance. Amidst this, the undercurrent of scrap code echoed ominously.

In the annals of the Mechanicum, this period signaled a dawn of resurgence. The architect of this revolution, Kelbor Hal, knew the magnitude of their deeds. But tidings of an uprising on Mars had reached Terra, shaking the Imperium to its core. An Imperial fleet soon appeared in orbit, dispatched by Malcador the Sigite who entrusted Rogul Dorn with safeguarding the forges of Mars.

The first captain, Sigismund, led four companies of the Imperial Fists and a vast contingent of Imperial Guard soldiers, landing near the forge of Mundus Oculum. Meanwhile, Captain Cber Diaz, with two companies of Imperial Fists and four regiments of Jovian grenadiers, made his descent near the Mundus Gamma Complex.

The battle was fierce and unrelenting. Lucas Chrome’s forces pushed back, forcing Sigismund to retreat. The last to fall was the Magma City, its ruler choosing to depart with dignity, unleashing molten lava upon her own domain.

Despite the Imperial forces encircling the planet, mechanisms prepared by Kelal had already been activated across the galaxy. The Fabricator General was closely cooperating with Horus through secret logistics channels. The warriors’ allies were the first to receive valuable equipment, to the detriment of the loyal contingent. In the secret docks, three Abyss-class Battleships were being constructed for the Word Bearers.

Out of these, only the Furious Abyss is known to us. Launched from the orbital dock of THU, this monstrously large battleship could withstand even planetary defense laser weapons. In a decisive move, the Fabricator General ordered the destruction of the Jovian docks, burning every Tech Priest and servitor to ashes, leaving the existence of the Furious Abyss unknown until it was too late.

Mars itself was under tight blockade by the Imperial Fists, allowing no movement in or out. As the Warmaster’s Armada approached, a retreat to Terra seemed imminent. Horus’ forces were tracked by the White Scars fleet, a terrifying force of approximately 7,000 ships – all Mechanicum vessels, each embodying the intellectual potential of its creator.

This new faith had spread far beyond Mars, with reality-tearing machines and self-aware mechanisms becoming the new objects of their craftsmanship. Time and the simplicity of human judgment had bestowed upon them a new name that echoed throughout the stars – the Dark Mechanicum. They had returned to reclaim the heart of their empire, firing the first shot from a distance far beyond the reach of any ship’s guns. A beam of cold light, 100m wide, erupted, signaling the start of a new era.

Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *