Vlenn sat in his barracks room aboard the Imperial transport ship. Soon, anytime now, the alarm would sound and the attack would begin. He double-checked his equipment. Standard issue Imperial flak jacket and helmet; light armor that couldn't stop a las-beam… but better than nothing. Two fragmentation grenades, lasgun, bayonet, and four extra power cells fully charged around his belt. Not the most powerful equipment the Imperium of Man had to offer, but it would have to do.
The alarm sounded. Vlenn ran. Down corridor, down the stairs, down another corridor, all the way hearing the alarm wail, men shout, and phrases being screamed over the intercom.
"It is better to die for the Emperor than live for yourself!"
"There is no room for doubt, only the Emperor's righteous fury!"
"Spare no mercy to the traitor and the heretic!"
The intercoms yelled on. Vlenn could see Commissar Seck up ahead motioning to the men around him. "Move it onto the ships you dogs! To victory!"
Vlenn quickly made his way to his designated seat, secured his gun in its holder, and strapped himself in. He couldn't see who was on either side of him, the shoulder restraints blocked the view. A few moments later everyone was on board and the entry ramp closed. There was a sudden heavy *thud* as the lander was released from its clamps. Each soldier on board could feel the push and tug of acceleration as the ship moved out of the bay and into space.
The bulky ship began to shudder and shake as the batteries on the planet below opened fire. Nothing but luck would determine if the lander Vlenn is on would reach its destination or explode in the vacuum of space. A particularly harsh jolt ran through the ship's frame, jouncing Vlenn in his seat. A lander flying close to this one had been hit and destroyed; they had just flown through its shockwave.
There was a sudden decrease in motion and a solid *thump* as the lander reached its mark. The hatch ground open and men scrambled to get up and grab their weapons. Vlenn rushed alongside the mass of troops and headed towards the exit. Out of the corners of his eyes he saw other landers that had touched down; troops, tanks, artillery, and scout walkers unloading on either side of him in their hundreds. Vlenn cleared the ships with the rest of his squad. His sergeant ordered them to form up and begin marching. The invasion had begun.