The Imperium and Perpetual War
Inquisitor Kolo Valchetti
Index:
Introduction
Chapter I – Perpetual War and Its Effects
Chapter II – The Necessity of Perpetual War in the Imperium
Chapter III –The Maintenance of Perpetual War
Introduction
This book is not only an examination of the Imperium and its dependence on Perpetual War it is also an explanation for some of my own actions which have been called into question by fellow members of the Most Holy Orders of The Emperor’s Inquisition.
As such I feel I should start by giving an overview of myself in order that you can see for yourselves the originator of the subsequent facts and observations. First and most importantly I am an Inquisitor and have been for the past one hundred and five years. Kolo Valchetti is not my real name but is the name I am now known by. I am not a member of any of the Ordos within our organisation preferring to operate independent of such ties. It was the completion of my hundredth year of service that prompted me to set down in writing my motivations and beliefs. I am regarded, as you will notice as you read further, as a follower of the Istvaanian philosophy with which I assume you are all familiar. While from the outside this is a fair assumption to make as my methods are undeniably similar to those of the Istvaanian philosophy and I have on occasion worked alongside Istvaanian Inquisitors I do not do it for the same reasons as they do and surely a man’s philosophy is determined by his motives not his actions? I do not, like the Fomenters, encourage civil war to increase the strength and combat ability of the individuals involved for the individual citizens of the Imperium are of little value to me. As an Inquisitor I am tasked with defending the Imperium not its inhabitants. If the Imperium could continue to function effectively without its citizens then I would not hesitate to remove them all. It would make life considerably simpler. I do not, like the Solarians, attempt to put into effect huge crusades to destroy mankind’s enemies. Primarily because this is an impossible task. Secondly because even if this were achievable it would lead to peace which would in turn lead to the collapse of the Imperium. The Imperium needs war to survive, but this is a point I will return to later. I do not believe even that conflict breeds strength which is a central tenant of Istvaanian philosophy. Indeed there is very little that I ‘believe’. What I know, however, is that in order to continue in its current form, and according to the Amalathians it is currently proceeding as per His divine plan, the Imperium needs to be at war. And not just a small scale conflict. It needs a vast, never ending conflict that consumes the entirety of its man power, production capabilities and economic excess. A perpetual war. As such I like to refer to myself as a Perpetuan.
Many people see my views as uncouth believing that I am no better than any other Istvaanian causing war for war’s sake. Some have even gone as far to say I am insane. I am not. I underwent a full psychiatric and psychic examination in order to prove my sanity. The psychiatric report suggested that my beliefs stemmed from the violence that formed a large part of my early years. Apparently I see this violence as having shaped me and allowed me to succeed and I attempt to apply this model to the Imperium at large. This is not the case. My reasoning is far more logical as you will see. It is true, however, that violence marked my rise into the Inquisition. I was born on Levilo Clausus a grand name for a glorified hellhole filled with the reeking tide of humanity. Like on every hiveworld gang warfare was rife and you had to fight to survive. This brutal upbringing stood me in good stead when I was recruited into the 98th Levilo Clausun Rifles. After fifteen years of distinguished service I was recruited into the Inquisitorial Stormtroopers following the Ebcom Affair. I was later permanently attached to the staff of an Inquisitor who I shall not name in order to protect him from the shock of realising how one of his pupils has turned out. Once it was realised that I could think as well as kill I was made an acolyte and eventually I received my rosette. Since then I have done my duty to protect the Imperium and maintain it. Unfortunately some do not see that that is what I have been doing.
Kolo Valchetti