Crusade Impressions 100

*986.M41*

War is an omnipresent horror in the galaxy of the forty-first millennium. Its long shadow touches all worlds of the Imperium and affects every life of every soul upon the million worlds claimed by humankind. And yet, few are those who truly witness the terror it entails, who come to see the full extent of its destruction, to feel the pain it inflicts and sense the utter existential dread it brings to the survivors.
Some might say the general ignorance is the only thing protecting humanity from the total loss of hope, that only in the bliss of not knowing the true horror of the galaxy, the common souls can continue to thrive and procreate. Too easy would it be to be overwhelmed by the bloody truth and succumb to the despair that feeds the ruinous powers. Thus, countless billions are kept in the dark about the enemies and threats the Imperium must yet endure. For their good and sanity, they cannot know what truly awaits out there, in the abyss between stars.

Truly great leaders, however, know that knowledge and the terror of it are extremely potent instruments to be administered with utmost precision. They understand the hope and danger of ignorance and the need to sacrifice the feeling of safety and security humanity so wishes to protect, for a higher cause and greater victory.
In the direst times, humanity has proven itself more resilient than any foe and even many a leader of their own would have deemed possible. Military leaders of high pedigree shielded themselves from the realities of war, are far too easily compelled to believe that the commoners would flee at the first chance, should the understand the enemy they face. And yet, when the hour of truth has come and any facade of control breaks down, and the humans come face to face the utter annihilation, time and again they fought on. The most dangerous animal is an injured and cornered one. And this primeval truth holds true for humanity as well. Where there is no more hope of victory, no more chance for rescue or respite, vengeance alone will keep them fighting and bring even the lowliest soldier to deeds of superhuman quality.

...

In the high chambers of the Triumvirate, the war council of Gondwana faces a difficult decision. The long shadow of the coming war has fallen onto their worlds. The fleets of the Amanshai at their gates, the growing threat of demonic incursions, the plague fleet sweeping Myriadenburg away – countless omens and portents point to the inevitable coming of the true enemy, a calamity of unimaginable scale. How much knowledge of this should be conveyed to the oblivious masses? How much hope, how much despair, how much wrath and paranoia should be instilled in the general populace to maximize their efforts in this coming war?
The question must be answered, and quickly before wayward messages, transmissions and signals will leak the information regardless of the council's wishes.
As they watch the skirmishes on the frontier unfold, faithful priests of the Omnissiah watch over the recordings. In gargantuan chambers deep below, the propaganda machinery of the Imperium awaits, ready to construct the reality that will confront the masses on untold worlds.