Part of the Black Library Novella Series 3, Spark of Revolution is Gary Kloster’s first Necromunda novella, and makes for an excellent introduction to his writing. Breaker Brass is an ogryn servitor, one of many toiling contentedly in a factorum owned by House Goliath and overseen by the Slag Krocs. When Goliaths start fighting Goliaths and a rival gang takes over the factorum, however, Breaker Brass soon finds himself used up, discarded and left for dead by the callous new gang leader. Against all odds Breaker survives his ordeal, and is reborn with his eyes opened and his mind expanded. Now able to see the world around him differently, he sets out to fight back against his oppressors, determined to find a better life for his fellow ogryns.
Ogryns are not exactly common protagonists in 40k or Necromunda stories, but Breaker Brass makes for a compelling and remarkably sympathetic character whether working in the factorum or putting his augmetic fists to more violent use. Even before his apotheosis (no spoilers, but let’s just say he returns smarter and sharper than he started) he’s portrayed as far more than just a dumb, muscle-bound worker slave – Kloster cleverly chooses to depict him as deeply focused, to the exclusion of virtually everything else, his loyalty based on a straightforward understanding of what’s expected of him. That degree of focus is a trait that humans perceive as stupidity, but is in fact more complex than that, and helps to both humanise Breaker (and all ogryns, really) and lay the groundwork for what’s to come.
Plot-wise, think Spartacus crossed with Flowers for Algernon set against the brutal backdrop of the factorum, its furnaces and the dangers of the underhive, and you’ll be somewhere in the ballpark. Breaker Brass and his ogryn kin are essentially enslaved and oppressed by the Goliaths, but as long as they have work to do and clear instructions to follow, they’re relatively happy. It’s not until Breaker experiences unexpected mental and psychological growth that he comes to recognise that what he took for happiness, or at least contentment, was really just a life of abuse, and can choose to try to make a difference. Whether or not his new existence is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen – while he’s gained intelligence and awareness, he’s also learned to see the cruelties of life like never before. He can also understand the risks inherent in making a stand against oppression.
It’s a story that’s perfectly suited to Necromunda as a setting, touching upon some interesting ideas applicable to the wider 40k universe but keeping things relatively grounded. The implications of Breaker Brass’ actions might be considerable from his perspective, but in the grand scheme of things they’re not going to change anything to how the hive operates. For all the abuse Breaker takes, this still isn’t quite as dark as many Black Library stories – it’s action-packed and sometimes brutally violent, but there’s a greater degree of hope than you might expect. It could possibly have had even more impact if the narrative had taken a darker path in places (don’t expect Flowers for Algernon’s gut-wrenching emotional content), but as it stands this is a tremendously entertaining story that does a great job of bringing a lesser-seen aspect of Necromunda to rich, compelling life.
See also: my Author Spotlight interview with Gary Kloster.
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