Chapter 1: Carnius
"Sir, reporting in from sentry duty on the eastern fringe of the fort."
The Lieutenant looks at before waving me away. I haven't seen him before, perhaps a newly appointed nobleman looking to serve the Imperium. I simply nod, salute, turn on my heels and march away. Once I exit the building into ward I drop the well trained soldier act and revert back to my normal self. I sling my rifle over one shoulder and take back my slouched stance of norm.
I've been part of the 413th Cadian regiment for three years now, seven months of those years has seen me stationed at Athion, an armoury world in the Segmentum Solar. Not quite sure why a regiment of 7,000 strong is guarding this world, never mind a siege regiment. I guess the PDF are just low on artillery and while we are here they can use or guns. Or maybe the tech guys have found something here and just want extra protection. Or maybe the Inquisition is doing something. There's a whole bunch of reasons to as why we are here. But they matter none to me, as long as I'm not fighting day in day out like some unlucky sods, then I don't have a problem being here. The planets alright, most of the year it's warm, with its sun gazing down on the fields and forests that surround the large cities, labour camps and storage facilities that dot the planet. Although, the winter has just hit, no snow yet, just a lot of rain. The ground has turned to mud that resemble a battlefield and the sky is a dreary grey all day long. I'm up to my knees in dirt most days, which would be alright if I was moving, but standing on guard most days for hours on end isn't good. My breaches are now permanently stained brown as opposed to the light tan colour they were a few weeks back.
"Oi, Carnius! You got a minute?"
I look around to see who shouted my name and see a squad mate standing underneath a tent a little bit away. I walk towards him with haste, glad to get out of the rain.
"You shouldn't be out without your overcoat mate, you'll catch something. Anyway, you still got that spare entrenching tool from a ways back? I lost mine and 'tenant will have my head if I don't show up for duty in a few hours without one."
I smile at the man, "Aye I still have it, come with me to the barracks and I'll give to ye."
"Great, you're a life saver."
We walk out of the ten back into the rain once more heading to a door on the western wall.
"How'd you lose an entrenching tool?" I ask, the man next to me was the never brightest fire, but he wasn't thick enough to lose a whole shovel.
He looks at me and starts no doubt a long winded explanation, I got no idea, it was in my locker this morning, but when I check a while ago it wasn't there. None of the lads saw anything. I bet it was stolen. Probably by some of the new guys. Trying to keep up appearances. By the Emperor if I find out who took it, I'll hit them with it so hard they will wish they never joined up."
I chuckle a bit, "If it's gone, I doubt you'll find it now, unless you plan you intend to check the whole regiment by yourself."
"Ey, I've been through a lot of stuff with that tool. Killed a green skin at the battle of Thora with it."
I shake my head, but glad we have reached the barracks. I open the door and enter the building, we head over the stairs and climb them until we get to the third floor. I walk to my locker, unlock it and grab a spare entrenching tool from it.
"Ha, I said this before but I'll say it again, you are a life saver. I'll speak to you tomorrow."
As he walks away I smile and shake my head again.
One other person in the room speaks up, "Say, Carnius, tell me again, how you got that spare tool?"
It's Willian. As I stat to take of my flakk armour I start the story for the possible hundredth time. "It was Flyria, at the time the 15th platoon was nearly destroyed from fighting the xeno. My squad was in a dire situation, surrounded in a building. So I took the tool of the ground, and barred the door with it. After a few hours the xeno got bored of trying to break through and left. I thought it was lucky so I kept it."
I untuck my over shirt and look over at Willian, he's clearly displeased with the story. "The last version was better, the heroic tale of how Carnius Cattladge held a dying friend in his arms, vowing to avenge him. And with the only weapon on hand, that damned shovel, you beat a Tau to death."
I roll my eyes, "You liked that version better? I don't think it suits me. Would I ever vow to avenge anyone?"
He laughs aloud, "That's what made the story great, it makes the new recruits wonder what the hell 'appened to change you into the man you are today."
I laugh a bit and bit my lip, "Truth be told, I can't even remember myself how I got it." As Willian laughs loudly once again I sit on my cot and swivel around so that I can lie down.
"Now, Willian, my dear friend, if you would be so kind as to shut up, that would be great. I'm exhausted."
"Aye, I know the drill."
I watch as Willian stands up and leaves the room, before closing my eyes and drifting into sleep.
