Today was a rest day on Cabalide.
The sacred Human Codex required one rest day every month, allowing people the rest they needed.
Many of Thunderhawk's policies bore the influence of the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar. There had even been such absurd incidents as sending a Luna Wolves squad to knock out and kidnap a few Archons so they could learn from their experience.
As it turned out, without crushing taxes and the rule of inhuman Planetary Governors, humanity could live very well indeed.
That did not mean the forces of Chaos had fallen silent. On the contrary, attacks by their minions were growing ever fiercer.
The Alpha Legion's presence had been confirmed on at least half the worlds, while some planets had also suffered attacks by the Night Lords. On Alt, for instance, the senior officials of the entire planetary government had their eyes and entrails gouged out before being hung from spires.
In fact, eighty percent of the "Chaos invasion" incidents reported to Terra's government were merely rebellions by starving civilians pushed beyond endurance. Thunderhawk had simply reduced that proportion to below five percent.
On this rare rest day, the Ecclesiarchy church in JT-3 District was once again packed.
The entire church was steeped in the scent of fragrant oil. Candles made from holy unguents stood in rows of skulls, while bitter but invigorating incense wafted from enclosed shrines.
The priests were preaching faith in the Emperor in impassioned voices.
"We are all his subjects, and we faithfully follow his teachings."
"He teaches us strength, that we may face this hostile world."
"He teaches us to labor, that we may build a future filled with hope."
"Under his guidance, we grow ever stronger."
As night fell, wave after wave of worshippers arrived and then departed.
Olivia had