"What's going on Aramain" asked? He watched as the column of strange scaled elephant creatures marched on in a pen of some sorts with various chipping and whirling sounds coming from within.
"Lets just say although they may seem more primitive then an ork stuck on a catachan backwater but they are damn resourceful".
Before he could ask what he meant he saw the first beast plod out of the holding area. It had now been nailed together with various pieces of hillbilly armour covering the vital spots. Its great tusks now were in cased in steal with various sharp implements prodding outward from them and on top of that a battle cannon lay on top of its hide. On its sides two troughs were held by chains possible being transport carriers.
Maximus motioned for him to follow on still hidden by their cameo and the foliage around them. It may have itched and made the most uncomfortable pair of pants he ever wore but it even fooled the ever watchful mutants.
He crawled on his belly keeping the rifle just in front of him merely a few inches behind Maximus.
He could feel the dirt slide under him and the various insects crawl over and under him. This wasn't a time to be squeamish he mentally shouted at himself I've got to find out what's going on.
They came upon the next spot what Maximus referred to as the blacksmiths. It was a shack cobbled together by pieces of steel and wood perhaps from an old house?
Huge portions of smoke billowed from a makeshift chimney and again sounds of buzz saws whirling and tools at work could be heard cutting through his ears. There was a cart outside that was pulled by what seemed to be hairless giant wolfs each slobbering and feral as if eager to pounce some unfortunate creature that unluckily passed them.
One cocked its ear slightly towards them its jaw jittering with malice and vile intention. Had it sensed them? Did it know they were there? Before it could trace them a mutant, a big one whose face was melted and twisted threw a sack of weapons on the back of it before jumping on and shouting at the things to move which they did with due speed kicking up the stones and dust along the way.
He made sure not to sigh his relief less he give away their position.
"Dire wolfs" Maximus said still staring at the blacksmiths "they're the main harass unit of their arsenal". "Damn fast and keen, the riders are quite the shots". "Those things you saw back there are called mastodons, beasts of burden". "I've only ever seen them used once" he said slowly as if trying to think back his eyes frowned intensely "but its never been known for them to be so heavily armed not with a ballistic weapon anyway".
"What does that mean then"? Maximus looked to Aramain for a few second yet his eyes passed him as if the answer was obvious.
"They're finally going to attack the governors stronghold" he said his voice held both resent and happiness.
While the PDF had personal training from the governor himself and brought to war the best weapons of all the factions they lack the experience and indeed loyalty the others had. They relied on mass volleys and destructive brute force to win their battles. Against the mutants they would face a foe who not only had an unorthodox array of equipment and units but also one that had much more confidence in it.
It would be a evenly fought battle and much blood would be spilled on both sides but there was no doubt that whoever won the rebels would be the ones to feel the wrath of the victors.
"We'll go back to base and inform them of what's happening……"
I guess it would be better to start from the beginning of this whole thing seeing as you don't really understand what's going on. My name is Aramain as I've said and I am a member of the Loban fist a rebel faction against the imperium. I wasn't always a rebel of course I once had a peaceful life pushing pencils in my little cramped office on the agricultural world of Geddi prime. Away from the action and torment of the guard it was my important duty to order the requisitions of new loads of regulation boots, paperclips and of course the all important supply of toilet paper and how grateful I'm sure they all were.
It may have been boring and sure as the emperors shiny balls it didn't bring any form of benefits but it suited me just fine as anything beat having an ork forcing his boot up your nose or having the unfortunate luck of having a Tau crises suit land on top of you and making you into a nice puddle of pasty goo. True I had heard the stories of how much honour and glory one in the guard could achieve and if ,and it is a big if they some how manage to get the emperors all seeing eyes watch over them till the tanks roll home they could retire rather happily for the rest of their days in solitude which in my opinion also sounded like a rather good plan but alas I have this terminal illness know as 'nowayinhellimgonagetshotivitus'. And besides having a old geezer shout at me twenty four seven, eating slop and having to wake up before tucking into a bit of breaky never seemed like the high life to me. No im rather happy with this position im in….well was. Life has a strange way of never giving you a break it seems.
Aramain sat down in his office at the hours 8:30 listening for the pleasant ringing of the alarm to start working. He gave a small smile cracking his knuckles and placing his stationary neatly in front of himself. He heard the first bell toll and he then began his repetitive stamping and signing duties with mindless abandon. He wasn't a strongly built man probably another reason why he never entered the guards life. He was of slender build tall and lanky almost as if he was a upright standing ape. His jaw was sharp and clean, his eyes small and somewhat weasely and his hair straight but held the feel of the tiredness. He wore the traditional uniform of Administratium. Fine robes of grey patterned with chequered wrists and hood, badges of office of course and the compulsory quill which no one ever used.
He opened his ink pad and a small container which held the wax for sealing the documents along side the black ring his held the symbol of the Administratium itself. He must of only stamped a few documents before Galdy came in.
Glady was an elderly women with very white hair and skin which looked as if it had been stretched over a sheet of steel, in other words she had pretty flat features. She too wore a similar uniform and as always in time she brought Aramain his tea, hot but not boiling and with just the right amount of caffeine.
"Thank you Glady" he smiled happily life was just superb for him, although her face said otherwise. He looked at her for a moment to notice her expression before asking what was wrong in his normal well spoken manner.
"Lord Melch wishes to speak to you".
He made his way down the long bland corridors of the office block. The entire way was covered with concrete blocks and a few servitors mercilessly cleaning and polishing the walls and floors. He always had a certain pet hate for the mindless machine men. Maybe it was the way how they had their 'upgrades' bore right into them or perhaps it was the expression of suffering that they held deep within. Either one they gave him the willies and he felt much more comfortable if they were buried under several ft of sand which had been covered with concrete then landing a very big bunker right on top of it right after having them turned off.
Lord Melch is the master of the Administratium's of Geddi prime. He was a powerfully built man broad of shoulder and a face that told of conflict. He had a bushy beard which often appeared well groomed almost yet ecstatic. He was once an imperial officer who fought in the war of Armageddon against the greenskin hordes. And by appearance no one would question that he weren't there. He was a veteran of the ash wastes yet how he managed to land a job ordering stockpiles and laying about alluded him. There were rumours that he was friends with a higher power but this was never thought on. He was lord and master and his word meant that directly from the emperor no matter how trivial it was.
He came to the end of the corridor the lords office just in front of him. Even this was decorated to show his power. It was gold trimmed and a stain glass depicted the emperor being guarded by angels from Terra itself.
As he entered he noticed how luxurious the place was. It may have not been noble like but the fact he had a drinks cabinet, an ornamental paper weight and of course his exquisite door made him clearly stand out from all the rest. "Ah Aramain" he welcomed he always spoke with a bellowing cheery voice "I trust you are well"?
He knew this was merely informal he never truly cared if he was well or not but it showed that he was being polite unlike many employers in the imperium. "Yes sir very well" he replied.
Melch nodded with a smile then quickly read through a few notes before stamping and signing them. Even in dire circumstances the man was known to always have finished the job regardless of what went on. "Now then" he began "I have some very good news for you, I am herby to have you replaced as are assistant administrator and you shall be moved up the chain of are wonderful empire".
Aramain wasn't sure how to accept this. Did he mean that he was to be promoted? Such things were rare within the organisation and even unheard of. The next step up was to be the dogsbody of his lordship. This meant even more menial tasks and by the emperors love a much safer position. He final cracked a smile showing his perfect teeth. "Oh thank you sire he gratefully cried I promise I will be the best that I can, I will accompany and deliver my full service".
"I'm so glad your overwhelmed" Melch said a small happy chuckle escaped his mouth "I know its always been your dream yet I wasn't sure how you would fair".
"Oh you know sir" Aramain smirked his eyes nearly in tears of excitement "I've always wanted to do my part for our grand empire.".
"I know you have" Melch smiled. "Oh that reminds me to introduce your new commander".
Commander? That was a strange name for a superior if anything it was a military title.
Still he couldn't believe his luck. A few years he had been pushing pens in the safety of a planet that held as much strategic value and appeal as a aardvark that had lost its interest in its career. Now he was to be the man who would serve the most important and perhaps second most powerful man on the planet next to the governor. Life didn't get much better then this.
The lord pressed on the intercom and asked his sectary to bring in Commissar Valentine………
Commissar?
Suddenly a tall well built man not unlike Lord Melch came through the door. He wore many scares across his face leaving few features on him. One eye had been cut out and replaced with a bionic enhancement a red glowing eye which seemed to draw all in its gaze. He wore the official outfit of the Schola Progenium not to mention ceremonial sword and las-pistol, both of which he was stoking rather comfortably.
"This is my good friend Commissar Valentine, he was my right hand man and saved my life many a time. I'm sure you will learn much from him".
The commissar turned his head slowly looking at Aramain and smiled a cruel crocodile smile. "Welcome to the imperial guard private Aramain" he stated his voice hissed. He was by sound alone an evil man.
All Aramain could do was stand there in shock. He tried to stutter something but lord Melch merely butted in.
"You want to thank me I know" he smiled again "you've always wanted to join the men up there in the star fighting the horrors doing your part for mother Terra and are father the Emperor" he said whilst marking the sign of the insignia on his chest. "You've been here many a year now and you've served me greatly and have done me proud, but now it is time for you to leave and go to your destiny".
So Aramain began his voice giving away his frightened mind "your not making me your dogsbody"?
"Nooooooooo".
"I'm joining the guard"?
"Yeeeeeeees".
"I don't remember saying you could quit private"! the drill sergeant shouted directly into Aramains ear. It ringed for a while before he could actually feel the saliva dripping from within. He had been at the encampment for nearly a month now and he could barely do one hundred sit ups. He couldn't believe his luck of all the possible promotions, of all the possible ways to spite him this had to be the worst. It is in fact on his planet anyway for guardsmen to be viewed as the highest form of honour. Why he hadn't seen this was beyond him. When he was first inducted into the ranks of the emperors hammer he was evaluated as 'bullet fodder' and suffice to say he wasn't popular with the other guardsmen either. Compared to them he was sickly and undernourished which meant he'd be the first to be shot and not necessarily by the enemy. True he may have told the Lord a few tall tales about dreams of joining the guard but they were merely to impress him and keep him on his good side. Not to throw him into the thick of it. He had just been lucky to not have been the butt of the jokes around the place although he could feel a certain special hatred for himself was resided.
The sergeant quickly moved on his voice still drumming in his ears however. "A guardsman must not tolerate indiscipline, ill skill nor even faith wavering". "He must have an iron will, a body of steel and a heart that was blessed by the emperor himself". "You on the other hand Aramain are a little snivelling girl who has about as much faith and discipline as a shit rats honeymoon outing"! "Id rather have you shot but the commissar has given you special treatment….for now". He said the last part with a hint of grudging annoyance. He hadn't liked him from the start and like everyone else he always saw him shooting him in the back when no one was watching.
In all honesty the entire ordeal thus far hadn't been entirely unpleasant. He enjoyed much of the fresh air and time he was given to study in the barracks library. They were all books on tactics and historical battles but in a way they made him a better solider. True his free time was often accompanied by continuous missiles of rocks and appalling language but at least the majority of it wasn't aimed at him. And the commissar always had his back no matter what the problem. It was Valentine alone who kept the drill sergeant from being over zealous in his work. It was also he who encouraged Aramain to study in the barracks library on war. He must of took Lord Melch's words to heart. He was his protector and tutor in this time of burden. In a sense he was his only friend.
"Right now you yellow bellied pieces of ork crap! Of to the firing range"!
The firing range was another one of those little parts he enjoyed at the encampment. He was one of the finer marksmen in the barracks and could very well hit all his target s in all the killing places. He had merely been there a month and already he was pretty confident he could stay slightly more alive. That being so long as he didn't get a sword shoved through his chest. The others didn't think too much into how to aim or how fast the wind current was going nor the rate of their breathing. To him it was natural. To them……well that was better left unsaid. Thinking wasn't something the guardsmen were meant to excel at apparently.
He brought the las-gun to his shoulder making sure the tip was weighted correctly to his standard. He needed to make sure that it didn't waver to how he used it. His breathing paced he kept his sight tight. His finger just touching the trigger readying to fire….
"So I see your training at your usual standard".
He fired prematurely the bolt flying off merely blasting a chunk out of the wall. He turned his head slowly meeting the eyes of commissar Valentine. The old veteran gave a devilish smile his one good eye narrowed and all watching. "I hear your quite the marksman, I wish the same could be said for your survivability".
"I know sir" Aramain responded his voice as ever quivering under pressure in front of superiors. Even in the relative safety of the commissar his voice always made him uneasy. Words just slide out of his tongue and seemed to spit with venom.
"I have a proposition for you". "One that I know you will be more then adequate at accomplishing".
A proposition in the guard wasn't something you turned down. If anything you had to embrace it with open arms and care of it like an inquisitors golden toilet seat.
"Alright on my mark Aramain get into position on the hill top make sure your cameo is properly secured then wait for the signal to take him out".
Aramain quickly hurried through the outcrops and trees making his way to his destination. It was exciting to be part of the scout unit. Not only did it mean that he got to keep away from the action it also meant he would actually gain some respect from his peers a feat that would not go unused. Maybe It was commissar Valentine's judging that gave him this opportunity or perhaps just his sympathy. Either one it was his doing that got him this cushy job and it was his doing that kept him active and safe. He doubted it was sympathy however commissars weren't known for their acts of random kindness. They are a pillar of which the men are to stand against. A pillar many would rather crumble, true commissars were notoriously unpopular and they had a tendency to shoot commanding officers for no apparent reason. Most say they did this in order to take command themselves but such thoughts were surely foolish. No one would surely try to use their power and influence to commandeer a place of command within the imperium would they?
He placed himself just behind the hilltop rifle placed and scope readily around his eye. The basic drone servitor was placed going about doing its duties. He felt a slight tinge of enjoyment as the signal was given and he blew the techno mans head apart. This was a lot better then burying them.
Maybe life here wouldn't be so bad after all…..
"Today is the day that you will finally show the emperor your devotion and give him your service through life" the Militant General bellowed "you are the 5th regiment of Geddi prime and it is on the soil of this planet that you will be baptised as soldiers of the imperium".
Aramain sat silently listening to each word the old veteran spoke. The others were merely partically listening or too involved in their own worlds. Not that it was expected many to survive. The average life expectancy of a guardsman on his first campaign was fifteen hours tops. Once you past that it was assumed to be easy sailing. Not that meant much when you were in the guard. With all the horrors and xenos that existed throughout the galaxy one could never expect to know what they faced. Each day meant a new disaster and blight.
He quietly light his Iho stick puffing a few times to make sure it lit before inhaling the contents. It was a nasty habit but the smooth feeling and flavour made things that much easier for him. They were free too which was also a bonus. If anything his prediction of being accepted had fallen like a lead balloon. Being put on to scout squad made them hate him even more since he wouldn't be up there fighting with the 'real' men. And with the commissar now still on planet side and he stuck on this rust bucket of a battleship they had all the time they needed to mock and pick on him. Having your head stuck down the urinal whilst it had yet to be cleaned gave him the idea to start up his dirty habit. Maybe if he got killed by these first he wouldn't have to put up with the rest of this hell. He listened for a while longer whilst the old man rambled on about minor details until he finally opened his ears fullest to hear the important part.
"We are on are way to the industrial world of Colbana". "You can expect heavy smog and rain with very little in the way of sunshine". "Colbana is essential to our system defences for it alone supplies us with the weapons and munitions distribution for the entire sector". "Your foe for this conflict are the rebel PDF of the governors acclaimed Serpent Guardians". "Keep In mind that though their name bears status they are no match for true guardsmen". "You will have no need for vehicle transport nor will artillery be required". "The heavy weapons teams that you bring will be enough alone". "They have no territory so to speak" he waved his hand over the 3d map hologram in front of him as it showed what appeared to be a building covered by walls and towers "the governors mansion works as their barracks, base of operations and supply port". "To be able to break through the defences of the perimeter it is a simple matter of attrition". "There will be losses there is no doubt all wars bear the risk of casualties, but if you truly believe in are holy father the emperor then you shall be spared". "Now I know you've all heard the rumours" he rumbled clear annoyance filled his words "that there are mutants on the world". "I assure you now that chaos has not touched the world". "There are no records of the influence nor has was it ever visited during the great betrayal". "There are high levels of radiation as you should know but in no way has it affect life in such a way". He finish it with a huff and puff it was clearly a trivial matter he wanted out of the way. "Use your heavy weapons to your advantage and may your faith hold you firm". "Good luck gentlemen and may the emperor be with you".
"Drop pod launch in minus five minutes" the vox caster blared out followed by the usual 'a man who puts his trust in luck is a fool, the wise man puts his trust in the Emperor' and 'get in now or I'll have you shot'. This was it, this was the moment his few months of training had prepared him for. He was going to be in the thick of it, fighting those who stray from the emperors light, those who aren't worthy, and those who are necessary to wipe out in order for the warlords to move their desks a few inches further.
He hurried through the chaos of bodies rushing past all eager it seemed to engage in some action. This would be all of their first battle, their first campaign to bring another world to the fray.
As he ran in to his designated pod strapped himself in and watched as the others gave him ugly faces he had to admit that he was scared. This WAS his greatest fear. He never wanted it to get this far but he knew all along that there was no escape. Once you joined you joined there was no leaving less it be with a hole in your head. To begin with he thought back to the days when he was sound and safe where there were no troubles back on his insignificant agricultural green ball of a safe zone. But as the days went by he knew that was foolish. He had a new and most probably short life now in the guard and he had to make the most of it.
This was it the final and most likely gruesome part of his life.
War……………….
Commander Valko sat on his command throne. With a stiff upper lip and a glass of rare molo ale in his clutches he tirelessly began to make himself bored. His favourite pass time. Ordering people around was always a nuisances but someone had to have the job an it made it all the easier when he reminded himself that they aren't people like him they're fodder and fuel to use to make his ship move.
He picked up one of the data files in front of him whilst inhaling the strong rich flavour of the spirit. It tingled his nose and made it feel as if the veins in his nostrils were going to inflate and explode covering his face with red matter. That meant it was some good beverage.
He scanned the contents of the file effortlessly much more infatuated with his drink then the matters of the empire. However one note did bring him to attention and an old wiry smile sweeped across his sagged features.
"So its time for the proving grounds to be put into use ey? Those gear heads better get of my back for this".
Colbana was in fact a military facility entirely made for the purpose of training guardsmen in action. The enemies were real enough as were the weapons and battles that happened. But because there existed a never ending war it made the perfect world for the purpose of finding out who had the metal to be a solider of the imperium.
With no signs of foes even in range of the scanners of decades there was no chance of it being attacked and thus the perfection of opportunities. The whole point of the armada being position there was because, of course, he, Commander Valko had been assigned to over see the construction of the 'proving grounds' for over twenty years.
As far as anyone actually knew the world was infested with scum and criminals who were armed with nothing more then bits of wood and themselves. The world was simply left to its own accord.
The forces who reached planet side would be left there for a good few months. Whoever survived would then be placed into a 'real' regiment and finally sent of to a real war.
It may have not been the best idea but it was the best the gear heads could come up with to not dispose of a world that had been swamped with radiation.
A world was a world no matter how insignificant. A world meant territory, a world meant wealth and a world meant I'm better then you.
"Lord commander" a voice spoke through the vox caster nest to his desk "we are sensing weaponry from the planets surface preparing to open fire".
"Open fire"?! Valko's voice slightly broke "how can that be? There aren't any anti air weapons on the surface"?!
"Sir the computers have been blessed recently so its unlikely the signals are inaccurate".
Things were about to get interesting……….