By D.N Eastburn
The frozen shrine world of Skara I've called home for as long as I can remember. My parents died in service to the emperor leaving me in the not so tender mercy of the Schola Progentum on this frozen rock. For nearly 10 years I have been forged into a fighting man, a storm trooper. Now comes my final trials as a storm trooper recruit...
My eyes opened at the sound of a klaxon siren. Same as it always did every morning before light from the distant sun even thought of reaching this side of Skara. The lights in the barracks flickered on as I dragged my sore body upright in my cot. The light was like fire to my tired eyes as they scanned the room before locking on to the sight Drill Abbot Kingsly, His rugged lean frame was encased in the bulky black carapace armor of our trade only his bald head covered in scars was the only thing not covered his augmented eyes regarded me as he bellowed "I want you out of that rack now like these other sorry piles of meat!"
With surprise and embarrassment I noticed every other recruit had bailed out of their cots when the klaxon blared. Moving quickly as my tired body would let me I stood beside my cot eyes forward hoping to save myself of that withering glare. I heard the old man's augmented lungs intake breath loudly before yelling at everyone now. "15 Minutes and I expect you son's of bitches outside in full armor and kit!" then marched out briskly leaving the barracks filling with sounds of footlockers opening.
"You really hacked him off today Nickolai.." My squad mate Markus jeered as we both pulled out carapace armor on plate by plate.
Without wasting a single action on anything else I rebuked " Yeah well what the hell am I supposed to do he's been on my arse for weeks" Trying to make up for being the last one out of my bunk I double timed dawning on my armor clicking the last snap into place as I started for the door with Markus as always a few steps behind me.
Our friendship was always sort of a rivalry trying to out do the other in feats of military prowess though our friendship was too strong to be true rivals. We were the first out of our training squad on the parade ground quickly snapping to attention and giving the sign of aquila to Drill Abbot Kingsly. We waited there at attention while the other three of our training squad came and mirrored our stance as well as giving the sign of aquila. As always the loud weeze from the old abbot was heard as a prelude to his bellowing. "Today will be a rite of passage, Hell day, You will all will show me that you know our tools of death.." He gestured to a long table that was filled with weapon parts and sacred oils. Each pile had a name plate to the corresponding recruit it was meant for. "Assemble your weapons, make sure you don't fekk up, these weapons you will carry for what ever is left of your miserable lives. Commence!"
Assembling the weapons was one thing but as we found out it was entirely another outside in the harsh arctic winds of Skara. Fumbling for hours our hands encased in the armor became frost bitten and sluggish. Our focus had to be unwavering to properly identify the weapons and assemble them. My heart leapt when I recognized mine. A hot-shot pistol, the coin dropping why the old man had been riding my arse. Hot-shot pistols were only issued to squad leaders and he would make damn sure I was ready for the burden. I looked over to the side and saw Markus his blonde hair damp and messy from the falling snow his pale frost-bitten features frozen in glee as he muttered prayers while completing his plasma gun. By the time Drill Abbot Kingsly returned with the power packs to our weapons all of the squad had completed their weapons. The three others, Duros, Borror and 'Twitch' were hefting their newly completed Hot-shot lasguns with pride. Kingsly tossed our bulky power back packs in front of us and handed Markus' more compact power pack. The old man grinned the first time I've ever seen as he handed me a power sword. "Marshal your squad behind me, Sargent"
I beamed back at him hearing him address me with my new rank then turned to my squad taking a deep breath and yelling, "Alright boys you heard the Drill Abbot get your kits, on me!" They hesitated for only a moment in surprise hearing me give commands for a change, it also provoked a silent chuckle and grudging smile from Markus as they fell in with Kingsly and I leading the way.
I've seen a few other storm trooper recruits ahead of my squad follow this routine so at least I thought I knew where we were headed but when Kingsly turned away from the live-fire course and moved towards the schola's less known conference building, I wasn't so sure. We entered through the large doors following the corridors to a large briefing room. There was a woman in black and gold robes, her black hair brushing against her shoulders when her head turned towards our little group as we entered the room. Her ice blue eyes regarding us as if she was bored. Kingsly snapped to attention and gave the sign of aquila taking the hint we all followed suit. Kingsly's voice came out softer then I've ever heard when he spoke. "Inquisitor Dorosa... reporting with Sargent Nickolai and his squad as requested."
It took me a moment to truly register what he said, but when I did I felt my bowels clench and my stomach turn inside out. I've heard the stories about Inquisitors and like all Imperial men and women I had damn good reason to fear them. I felt Kingsly pat my shoulder as he turned around and left the room. The door to the breifing room sliding shut and clicking loudly as it locked, leaving my squad and I alone with the Inquisitor.