On a white canvas stood multiple shadows, one stood alone, and the others form a small group, all facing the lone, tall, robed figure. Some members of the group are grasping long poles with sharp ends. It was holding something close to its feminine chest. A slightly shorter, masculine figure walked forward, emerging from the group towards the solitary figure. The robed shadow advanced after tightening its grip on the object, then relaxing and handing it over. Then as it strode away, a distant sound could be heard, a crying baby.
Laconus awoke in the bed to see a rugged, helmeted face as well as a finer, slimmer face wearing glasses. His memory lagged a moment before he could remember then the rugged man spoke.
"Hello! Everythin' still tickin' in there?" He said. Oh right, Cain, the squad leader. And the other man was Kaltos, the platoon apothecary.
"Yeah Cain, my mind's alright, but my memory…." Laconus replied with a hint of humor.
"It's normal, due to the circumstances of the event; it's expected for you to have some amnesia." Kaltos spoke. "Frankly, I'm surprised you're able to remember your squad leader's name." he chuckled, "Can you recall where you are, who you are, or what happened?"
"I remember, a loud screaming sound, like artillery, then a ground-shaking explosion. After that, I remember, only vaguely, being dragged into a Valkyrie by two guys, along with some others. Lasguns were being fired, I could tell. Then I woke up here." Laconus said with enmity.
"Very good, Mister Roth, what your squad leader told me is that-"
"There was artillery strike on where we was infiltratin'." Cain cut Kaltos off "We was 'bout halfway before we saw some of them bastard rebels. Trouble is, they saw us too, and called in an artillery strike, 'bout three of us was killed outright, but you, Jericus, and Thak were only injured. You got the worst of it though" The names rang in Laconus's mind as he slowly recalled what he was involved in. Jericus and Thak, were squadmates, part of the Feruthian thirty-seventh light infantry regiment, third squad. The planet, Feruth Beta, was at war with the Forces of Chaos. Luckily, there was only blasphemous rebellion at the moment, but soon they might call in Daemons, or Chaos Space Marines. Laconus had never seen a loyalist marine, never-mind a traitor.
"Thank you, Cain, for 'breaking it' to him like that, I suppose it's easier that way." Kaltos said, interrupting Laconus's train of thought. "Now, do you remember anything else?"
"Yeah, this is Feruth Beta; we're at war with heretics. I'm part of the Feruthian thirty seventh light infantry, squad three." Laconus said, repeating his memory. Kaltos and Cain were rather relaxed now it seemed, maybe from the realization that Lakon could remember things still. His wounds became apparent though, his left side was beginning to ache, and his left leg was as well. "If you don't mind though, I'd like to rest."
"Yes of course, you need about two days rest, and then you can return to duty and see your squad mates." Kaltos said.
"TWO DAYS!? You said his 'recovery' would be over and done with soon." Cain shouted.
"Soon around here is two days. Your lucky he didn't die outright." Kaltos replied smartly.
"Emperor damn it. Well, son rest up. You'll be returnin' to service soon, but I doubt ya remember most of the training, so the boys'll have to teach ya." Cain grumbled, as he left, with Kaltos following. After the door shut, Laconus fell asleep.