Dietrech'sDefenders

" "A suspicious mind is a healthy mind" is what we were always told, however, none could have expected such a sudden attack. (illegible text) the Space Marines let one of the Chaos fleets escape, and it made its way to our planet, Kerriqua."

-Recovered Journal Entry, Pvt. Jacob Reinwa(KIA). 14th Kerriquan Regiment.

Chapter One
"I hate my uniform, it makes guardsmen hate me."

-Memoirs of a Commissar By Commissar Ogalsh (10th Kerriquan Regiment) (Ret.)

Waking up was never a pleasant experience for me, a lot of people claimed that they woke up smiling, ready for anything. I, on the other hand, usually woke up with a frown. However, today was to be an interesting day, I was being assigned to my first regiment, and that demanded I be on time and looking as sharply as ever if I were to land an impression on the hardened Imperial Guardsmen. I had always been a man with a sharp tongue, able to talk my way out of many things and make favorable negotiations. It is with that mindset that I concluded five more minutes would have both of the argument leaders in my head happy.

I had just recently gotten out of the Schola, apparently now I was a full fledged Commissar. When I exited the Schola, I had two things in my mind. The better part of my head was happy to finally get out of the damn place, how my fellows could stand there and put all their faith in the Emperor was beyond me. Sure, I was loyal to the Imperium, but I wasn't a fanatical lunatic, something that made the Regiment I was soon to join more comfortable around a Commissar Who I will remind you can execute anyone he/she decides is 'unfitting' than with the regiment's own priest. I had heard tales of Commissars with similar minds to my own, and how heroic they were, and how much they differed from the average Commissar. By the looks of it, I could either be a strict, trigger-happy lunatic who puts all his faith into the Emperor, or be a kind-hearted Hero. Both of those, combined with my amazing ability to screw myself over, and lack of blind faith made me a candidate for neither.

The other part of my mind, however, dreaded leaving the place. Commissars were, by the media, great men who inspired those with them to fight for the Imperium like no one else, men who led by example, and were admired by those who followed them. You find such men about as often as you find a pleasant smelling Ork. Commissars are hated by their troops. Having someone who is allowed to execute anyone whom they believe is 'lacking morale' just to intimidate the surrounding soldiers into bravery instilled by fear is far from pleasant company. There even existed Commissars willing to execute anyone they thought looked unfitting to be an Imperial Guardsmen just because they had a bad morning. Even officers feared Commissars, having one attached to your regiment meant that if you were slacking in the least bit, you could be executed and the Commissar could take control of whatever said officer was doing, and still maintain the ability to kill anyone on sight.

That meant no friendships for Good Ol' Commissar Dietrech.

The shuttle I was on gave me the impression it liked to take the longer routes, making the tedious journey all the more exciting. I was being attached to the Kerriquan 14th Infantry, under the command of Colonel Severin Akkitus. The planet Kerriqua had been the target of many Ork attacks, and being a fresh Commissar unprepared for the large scale battles the Cadians, Vostrayans, Valhallans, or the brave Tanith souls faced, I was given the duty of helping maintain order on Kerriqua. The Ork attacks were predicted to not be the green tides that the media showcased, but it was more than their P.D.F Planetary Defense Forces could handle.

"We have arrived at our destination." Said the emotionless voice of the servitor co-piloting the shuttle. A few fresh Imperial Guardsmen began disembarking, followed by a small huddle of Techpriest enginseers. The entire trip I had traveled alone, not one guardsman spoke, or even approached me, they did, however, shoot glances of raw hatred at me at every opportunity.

"Need a hand with your bags, Commissar?" Said an obviously new trooper, stopping to salute. She was wearing her flak armour, helmet included, despite the fact we were not expecting the attack for another few weeks. Overexcited and young- add a firefight to that equation and you get a dead trooper. Ironically enough, I would end up owing my life to this trooper on several occasions. Plus, she approached me with admiration in her eyes an effect of Commissarial media, I assume, so I'll give her kudos for bravery.

"Name, trooper?" I ordered, doing my best to appear like the Commissars she had seen on the media. The longer I could keep her believing that, the longer she'd follow me, and despite her lack of experience, she would make a fine meat shield.

"Private Miranda Lilienthal. Skypean fourteenth, Commissar." She motioned towards my bags, which I gladly handed over to her. Her helmet appeared to be a little too big for her, and her shoulder length black hair was clearly visible, it wasn't even tied back. She was rather thin, with fair skin, and to be honest, I was surprised she was serving in the Imperial Guard instead of being at some higher-class elegant dress party. She attempted to pick up both of my bags, but failed miserably, I held back a smile, and picked one up myself.

"Thank you, private." I said, but her aid left as soon as it arrived, for she was quickly rallied with the other guardsmen, and I had to drag my bags to the room assigned to me, and then meet up with the Colonel and his cronies. Oh, the fun.