Chapter Two
"I have a jacket, a helmet, and a mildly warming red luminator for a weapon, I should've made better decisions as a juvie."
-Recovered Journal Entry, Private Mordof Evacunas (KIA) 14th Kerriquan.
"Well met, Commissar" Said the Colonel, "I am Colonel Severin Akkitus, to my right is Major Kuznetsov, and to my left is my aide, Lieutenant Evan." He then looked at me directly, revealing his white beard and scars, which matched his deep and gravely voice just perfectly.
"Well met, I am Commissar Dietrech," I paused for dramatic effect, "It is a pleasure to serve with the men and women of the 14th Kerriquan." I looked at them, and they did not look half as bad as I expected them to. Major Kuznetsov was a man who appeared to be in his mid forties, with an intimidating figure, and the lieutenant appeared to showcase everything Private Lilienthal did not.
"The other Commissar will converse with you perhaps tomorrow, we must be on our way to finish a discussion about our defenses. You will not be disappointed here on the 14th Kerriquan, Commissar." Said the Colonel, and the whole meeting as over as soon as it….wait, he said "The other Commissar"! This regiment had more than one? I knew the regiment was big, but wouldn't two Commissars be overkill? I had to look at the positive sides though, at least this way the paperwork won't be too bad.
I spent the remainder of the day unpacking and familiarizing myself with the Guardsmen, most did not dare look me in the eye, except Lilienthal. Her squad seemed to be tolerant of my presence, so I wrote it down in my head to attach myself to them in the case I needed to be in combat. The sergeant was a female who apparently spent too much time in the gym, and the other troopers did not really matter to me. If I ever needed to know their names, I could simply ask, I am the Commissar, after all.
"Did you see the Commissar? Wow, a real beauty, eh? I'd love to-" I turned around casually, looking at the whispering duo nearby, I could not believe my eyes; they were both men. I knew this was a mix-gender regiment, but could they influence each other so….
"What was that, trooper?" Said a cold female voice from behind one of the Chimeras, and I was suddenly assaulted by a feeling of both worried surprise, and relief. The latter would be because I knew I was not being eye balled by the men of the 14th, the former being that I knew what this female voice was….
"N-nothing, Commissar. I was simply stating how finely polished and impressive my lasgun is, Mam'." Said one of the guardsmen, and saluted. The Commissar did not believe him and raised her laspistol at the guardsman.
"Insulting a Commissar is a major offense, you are to be-" She said firmly, and I knew she was going to execute them. An idea suddenly sparked, I could gain the favour of the Guardsmen if I became a safe haven for them. The more meat shields, the better.
"Commissar. Hold your fire." I said as firmly and demanding as I could. She was shorter than myself, making me look rather intimidating, if I may say so myself, "I overheard the conversation, and I feel it is necessary to inform you that Guardsman was, indeed, conversing to his fellow man about his lasgun. A man who is attached to his gun to such an extent is more than likely a notable figure on the battlefield. His death would not benefit this regiment."
Her expression would have been priceless, had it not been for her being a Commissar and being able to hide it. She did not speak, but simply nodded, her red hair visible now that I was closer, and her face lightly sprinkled with freckles., but I knew I landed my mark, for I saw her mouth attempt to open, but fail.
"You two, Guardsmen, I require some aid. Follow me." I ordered, and the two guardsmen walked towards me with almost indecent haste. I turned around quickly, so I could let out that smile I had held in for so long.
"Yes, Commissar!" Said the same man who made the remark about the other Commissar, he was stocky and short, with an earsplitting voice.
"Names." I ordered, loud enough for the other Commissar to believe I was about as uptight and zealous as her.
"Private first-Class Jacob Reinwa." Said the short one.
"Private Mordof Evacunas" Said the other one.
"I'm going to need a tour of our base, as well as a Guardsman's point of view on your regiment." I said firmly, looking at both of them before saying, "What is that Commissar's name?"
"Commissar Rebekka Petrov, Commissar." Said Private Mordof, who was rather…large for a guardsman, and tall too, I had to resist from speaking to him as if he were an Ogryn.
"Truth be told, I don't blame you for your thoughts." I said lowly once we were out of earshot, throwing a grin at them. That did it, I saw the two struggle to not smile, and knew that if I was ever in a tough situation, they would have my back covered.
After a small tour of the base I decided that this planet was little more than a little obscure planet which had tolerable weather. By the accounts of both men, it appeared that this regiment was once an unruly one, which required more than one Commissar to maintain order. Those days were long gone, though, but they were still given two Commissars out of routine more than necessity. It didn't seem to be too bad of a regiment, and I decided that any real trouble the other Commissar would handle, and my life seemed to be going alright. How wrong I would eventually find out I was.