Birth
~ O ~
Colonel Dorn Sikney waited outside the Lord Generals office. He sat stiff backed yet relaxed, reading a data-slate. At his side was his robust aid, Senior Sergeant Godwynn Lamm. The two were strangely similar, yet different. Both wore their number one dress uniform, the scarlet red of Beligarso Grav-troops, with skill and pride. Both had medals and campaign ribbons attached to their chests, both had scars to prove their bravery. They were even armed some what alike; Sikney had a powersword and ornate laspisol, while Lamm had a chainsword and heavy autopsitol.
The differences were Sikney was a small wiry fellow with dark hair and even darker eyes while Lamm a massive, muscled bound man. Lamm ritual shaved his head each morning. Moreover, Lamm had a sullen and morose look to him, while Sikney seem to always a mischievous glint in his eyes, and a hint of smile on his lips.
An aid, dress in the red and white livery of the Lord General, stepped out into the waiting room, and said "The Lord General will see you now." And move aside to hold the door open. Sikney handed Lamm the data-slate he was reading and the pair marched into the room, halting just inside the great doors threshold; both slammed their jack-boots down in unison, the sound ringing off the stone of the ancient fortress.
The room was what the Lord General joking called his Den, it was a massive stone floored chamber, and the ancient stone walls were covered with lumo-torches and war banners. All around the wall were computer consoles and wired servitors. Dozens of people busted about, carrying data-slates or rolls of parchment, comparing notes and talking softly. The center of the room was dominated by an enormous dark wood table. Around the beautifully crafted table sat some the most powerful men in the sector. The Lord General, Ramesis, stood at the head, even though there was a large comfortable looking chair right behind him. Running down the length of the table eleven other men; five generals, two fleet admirals, three senior tacticians, and a well aged, robed man, sitting directly to Ramesis's right. The Lord General's senior war staff.
The lord general looked up and waved Sikney over; Sikney gave Lamm a curt nod and marched to the foot of the table. Lamm waited by the doors, stiff at attention. When Sikney reached the table he slammed his boot down, throwing a sharp salute, "Colonel Sikney, reporting as ordered, my Lord General." Sikney said in a strong, confident voice.
"Colonel Sikney, welcome" The lord general replied and saluted back. "I hope your trip here was blessed by the God-Emperor."
Sikney dropped him arm to his side, "Due to Him on the Golden Throne I had a safe journey."
"Excellent, most excellent, do you care for refreshment?"
"I do not, Lord General."
"Let's begin. Foz Magna is under duress, it seems some locals have felt the call of the darkones to strong to resist. They signaled the Imperial Guard and asked for deliverance. I have rushed the three closest units to Foz Magna, the 17th Rykins Division, the First Merity Astro-Deepers, and the First Adare. However, the Adarians have a problem. No senior officer. Planet Adare has raised this regiment to fight of the Emperor of Mankind, upon my command over tens months ago. Some of the men have serviced in the local planetary militias, however, that could hardly be called combat experience. Moreover, none could meet the requirements needed to make senior officer. And that's were you come in Sikney. You are to report to this planet, assume command of the regiment, oversee their embarkation and proceed with all do haste to Foz Magna. Any questions?"
"No sir."
"Sikney you were selected for this by on recommendations forwarded to me by your commander. And as you have no regiment to return to, it seems you answer to me now. Do you have any concerns with that?"
"No lord general."
"Good. Dismissed, a shuttle is waiting for at the spaceport. Emperor's grace and speed go with you."
Sikney, stomped his boot, saluted and marched from the chamber.
~ O ~
"Well what does everyone think?" Remesis asked his assembled warlords.
There was silence as everyone gathered their thoughts. General Vazmoor replied first, "At least he was economically with his words." Smiles and light laughing. Most of the others just shrugged.
"And you?" Remesis asked the withered old man next to him.
A long silence hung in the air, "He is blessed, for better or worse." Was all the old-one would say.
Remesis nodded and for a moment looked towards the heavens, the returned his gaze to the men around him, "All right lets get back to business."
~ O ~
As the shuttle rose swiftly, the vast city and mountainish hive towers were left behind, a billion billion little lights twinkled off into the horizon. Sikney watched until the city was blanketed by the omnipresent clouds that hung in the atmosphere.
'Sir?" Lamm's question breaking Sikney's reverie
Sikney had been tight-lipped, both figuratively and literally, since they had left the Imperial fortress, and Lamm was curious to know what was going on.
A large, friendly smile crept slowly and uncontrollably onto Sikney's face, he then punched one fist into the palm of another, "We're back in!" he yelled.
~ O ~
Three week's space travel later, Sikney was aboard the frigate Last Hope in high orbit above planet Adare. He stood in an observation bubble facing planetwards, he watched the great blue and green orb rotate slowly. His legs moved with nervous energy. He could not help from pacing, muttering to himself. He could not concentrate on the data-slate he was reading. He had a great many concerns to occupy his mind. His chief worry being the quality of men he was about to take command of.
He knew, from his research during the past week, that Adare had never raised an Imperial Guard regiment in its two thousand year history. The planet was sparely populated and only semi-industrial, considered primitive by most. There were three main continents/ political entities, each named after their capitol city; Antigua, Ektelon, and then the vast Tan Azrul archipelago, making up the third main political power bloc on the planet. Adare's chief export was live stock. They bread a short, heavy, and nearly invulnerable sheep-like creature called a Moak. The planet itself was rugged, made of tough hilly regions, thick forests, and vast savannas.
There had never been any major, or even minor, figures-of-note to emerge from the planet; no works of art, not great composers, no warriors, nothing, in the great Imperium of Mankind, it could have never existed and no one would have noticed. Save the God-Emperor himself.
"Excuse me Colonel your shuttle is ready," said a navy officer, who manifested seemingly out of the bulkhead. Sikney nodded and the navyman departed. Sikney tapped his vox-link, "Lamm, let's go."
There came a beep, "Everything is already set, sir. Your personal affects have already been loaded on the shuttle, and we await you in dock secundus." Lamm replied quickly.
Sikney smiled, it seemed he was not the only one eager to get back to fighting.
When Sikney and Lamm flew over the capital building, a massive tower brisling with weapon turrets and antennas, it was well into the Adarian night. The shuttle landed on a platform near the top of Adare Tower, the capital building of Antigua. Antigua, the first among equals on Adare, and home of the planetary governor. This city was vastly different from the one he just left. He could clearly see an end of the city, where the night lights ended, and an empty vast darkness began. And all though he could not see them, he was sure stars shone brightly above Antigua.
Sikney, wearing his dress reds, marched down the ramp, Lamm two steps behind him. They were greeted with a cordial, yet not extravagant, greeting. The planetary governor, Bula, dressed in dark blue and red robes, with massive fur cloak draped over one shoulder, and several dozen other important looking people waited. A five piece band played, but the effect was ruined by the roar of the shuttles engines turning down and general racket of the loading dock.
The Governor strolled out to meet him. Bula was a large man, tall, board, with a large gut and a massive grey beard. Tattoos decorated his bald head. To Sikney he looked more like a barbarian chieftain of old, then a planetary governor.
"Greetings Colonel Sikney!" Bula bellowed, "Welcome to Adare!" His voice was tough, husky, with a hint of warmth. Like the voice of a tough, yet loving father would use. Bula towered over Sikney, who by any standard was a short man, by at least twenty-five inches. The giant gasped Sikney's arm in a warrior's hand clasp, wrist to wrist.
"Thank you Governor Bula, I am pleased to be here." Sikney's voice, by contrast, was strong and confident, yet light.
Bula grunted, and turned to an aid, he took a small item from him and turned back to Sikney, "A gift from the people of Adare." He lowered a small, quivering canine.
Sikney took the animal with grace and smiled, "I am honored." He held the dog out before him, and thought he had seen larger, meaner looking louse. The dog did not weigh more the seven pounds, had very short grey hair, protruding eyes, and large testicals. He was beginning to think it was a subtle insult.
"That's a field ratter, a baby one. They're a noble breed, with a history as long as our own. I'll have to tell you about it some time."
"I'd be pleased to hear it." Sikney said, handing the animal to the quiet, waiting Lamm, who took the animal with no-to-do, and gently tucked the quivering canine under his arm.
"Come, come, we feast tonight! In the morning we'll over look the Gundogs! I think you'll be pleased with them."
Although the colonel was well within his rights to demand to see the troopers this very second, he was a conscious enough politician to know when to demand, and when to compromise.
As he settled into his room Sikney recalled what Bula had called the Guardsmen, he had called them gundogs? The governor had called his own Imperial Guardsman, Gundogs, and had said it with genuine respect. In his own past experience most planets tried to reinforce an air of class or valor or at least respect in the armies that fought in the God-Emperor names, save for the mother-killing hive-scum regiments and worthless penal legions. What type of troops would he commanding? If the governor or his retinue were anything to go by, most likely barbarians, or feral savages, a far cry from his previous Beligarso troopers.
While Sikney went to attend the feast, Lamm was off getting things in order for the review tomorrow. Priority one being, securing them both First Adare uniforms. The feast hall was enormous. A u-shaped table large enough for a hundred dominated the center of the room, real fire places, each large enough to park a tank, were set on the walls, they burned real wood. Various animal skins and war banners hung on the walls, dozens of blue and red robed attends moved throughout the room, carrying food to the table, removing plates, refilling wine glasses. Many exchanged laughs and jests with the men they were serving.
There was a notable lack of servitors. When Sikney asked about this, Bula told him Adarians did not like to the 'served.' There were no servants on Adare, everyone had to work to eat, a tradition set by the first colonists. More importantly, they served the God-Emperor, to be served is to think one-self the Emperor. And that is sin. The men and women catering to the planets most powerful leaders were all honest, hard workers.
Sikney had a place of honor, the right hand chair to Bula. He had eaten a hearty meal; the starter was soup and bread, the main course was seasoned meat with mashed vegetables. The beer was sour and pungent. The desserts were tart and sour. After the meal, the assembled men, produced cigars and pipes, many exchanged items and began smoking.
Bula rose from the table, "Hear! Hear!" he bellowed. The hall quieted down.
"This is Colonel Sikney, here to command our own men, to kill in His name, and take to take our name to the stars!"
A mighty roar, many of the men clapped each other on the back.
Bula turned to Sikney, "Address them," he demanded, and sat down.
There was silence, smoke drifted lazily about the room as Sikney rose, he collected his thoughts. He was about to begin, when someone called, "You ever kill a man?"
Sikney looked down the faces of the table, he could not tell who ask, he looked down at Bula, who stared back, one bushy eye-brow raised.
Sikney address the assembled men, "Yes, I have. I have killed many man, both as a common trooper and as an officer, I have even condemned my own to death."
Silence," How?"
"With gun, blade, bomb, and fist, what does it matter?"
More silence. Some heads nodded.
"You ever been injured?" someone else called out.
His patience was running thin, "Yes, both of my hips are made of hardened plasteel and my intestines had to be rebuilt from flexible plasteel tubing." He stated matter-of-factly, he was greeted by more silence.
"I am Imperial Guard Colonel Dorn Sikney," he said in a loud, commanding voice so filled with passion and determination, all those around him were enthralled. "I have been in the Imperial Guard all my life. I started my career as a common trooper, I have fought and I have killed. I have been injured. Rank-and-file soldiers reaching the rank of a colonel are rare, I do not boost when I say I can lead soldiers to battle. I am the former Colonel of the 19th Beligarso Grav-Troop, which I also served in for thirty-five years. An excellent regiment, tough bastards, the lot of them. When given command I had led them to victory on dozens of battlefields. I have been appointed to take command of the First Adare, this is my honor and my duty."
He stood, glaring at those around him, Bula rose slowly next to him. Sikney turned his glare at the giant. Bula looked down and admired the fierce determination in Sikney's face. He place one giant hand on Sikney's slender shoulder, "Excellent," was all he could say.
~ O ~
The following morning was bright and clear. A blue cloudless sky hovered over the muster field. Over fifteen hundred soldiers stood in neat ranks. Behind them were hundreds of tents, and behind those, the orbital lifters, ramps-down waiting silently. Each soldier wore black, lace-up boots, gray combat trousers, and a grey greatcoat. Under which went their undershirts and undershorts. Over the greatcoats were a dark grey armor and black combat webbing. The webbing was a waist belt and shoulder straps loaded with pockets and clip hooks. Within the webbing were many items a soldier would need; foot powder, compass, lasclips, a twenty inch combat knife, and so on. To the man, they wore necklaces and bracelets of stones, glass, or metal. Most carried lucky charms on their person, and tattoos and piercing where common. On each head a dark grey metal blow-shaped helmet rested. The rifle, standard Imperial Guard issue Mark IV Las-rifle, made locally on Adare, was held by the barrel, bayonet attracted, the metal stock resting on the ground one inch from the right boot.
Sikney, now dress in his Adare grays was followed by Lamm and the regiment's five captains. He prowled amongst the assembled soldiers, looking them over, scrutinizing them. Many all looked the same look, tan-skinned from so much time outside, bodies made strong from hard honest toil. However, there was something very odd about how each soldier had green eyes. Everyone he looked at had green eyes, some dark green, some light green, some had mixed green eyes, yet to the man, green. It was off putting.
He stopped in front one trooper, a youth, barely old enough to shave, sparkling green eyes. "Name, rank?" he demanded.
"Sir, Dex Zerzan, Private. Sniper. Sir" The youth replied
"Let me see your rifle."
The youth quickly and efficiently pulled his rifle up, snapped it across his chest, leveled it, and presented it to the colonel.
Sikney took it, examined it, "Senior Sergeant Lamm you see something wrong with this rifle?"
Lamm marched up, took one look at the rifle, "Sir, no scope, sir."
Sikney looked back at the youth, "Trooper, this is a full dress review, and you failed to service you kit? You said you were a sniper, where is the scope?"
Zerzan looked down at the long-las, the sniper modified version of a las-gun. "Sir, I … uh… don't use one … sir?
Sikney handed the long-las back, glare the youth in the eyes, turned and called down the line, "Captain Boortz!"
Captain Boortz marched up, Sikney sighed, "Captain, this trooper has failed to service his kit for inspection. Furthermore" Sikney reached over and tapped Zerzan's sniper pin on his collar, "this sniper claims to not use a scope. Explain."
Boortz, overseer of the two-hundred and fifty troopers of second company, and second in command of the regiment, "Sir, Zerzan, shoots like shit when he uses a scope." He stated plainly and directly.
Good, thought Sikney, he did not have the patience for officers who wasted time with nice words.
'Well Captain, what good is a sniper who can not shoot?"
"Your pardon, sir, I said he can't shoot when using a scope."
"Meaning?"
"Zerzan, sir, is touched by the Emperor. He was born blind and one morning woke up with eyes that work. He claims to have seen the Emperor in his dreams, He spoke to him, telling him he could have his sight, if you used it kill His enemy's. That day Zerzan heard about the muster call."
Sikney was silent; he looked at Lamm, who was stone-faced and emotionless.
"This true trooper?" He asked Zerzan.
"Sir ... uh … quite true. Sir."
Sikney grunted and moved on, stopping in front of another soldier, "Name, Rank?"
"Syl Soll, Sergeant, 1st platoon, 2nd company"
Sergeant Soll had dark green eyes. He was an older man, and by the looks of him hard as rockcrete, "Occupation before joining the Guard?"
"Arbites, sir."
He moved on
"Name, Rank?"
"Lucco Bula, Trooper, Sir." said a strong young man with dark emerald eyes.
"Bula? Any relation to the governor?" Sikney asked
"He is my father, sir," young Bula relied.
"Strange for a governor's son to report to the calling of the Imperial Guard, don't you think?"
Bula was quiet for a moment, "Go on, son, and speak your mind," Sikney encouraged.
"Sir, there would no greater pride or honor then for the governor's own son to answer the muster call. We of Adare are warriors, even the governor's son, sir." The youth replied intensely. His eyes alight with insult. By Sikney implying that because he was the planetary governor's son he would not have as much courage as the others, had offended the youth. Sikney smiled, if this youth's intensity was anything to go by he liked Adare's spirit.
Sikney moved on, asking troopers there names and other questions.
"Name, rank?"
"Zhan Oomomo, Trooper, Scouts."
"Name, rank?"
"Tolo Salwasser, Sergeant, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Company"
"Name, rank?"
"Asp D'Este, Trooper"
"Name, rank?"
"Demme Raven, Trooper, Signals."
"Name, rank?"
"Gregor Gorgan, Sergeant, Stormtroopers, 5th Platoon, 1st Company"
And on it went. For over two Imperial standard hours.
Sikney slowly worked his way around the regiment, stopping and checking various troopers, his last stop, near to where he asked the first trooper, "Name, Rank?"
"Tristan del Tarn, Trooper, Plasmagunner"
Trooper del Tarn was a massive brute, tall but not overly tall, he was massive in the chest, arms, and legs. "Trooper your eyes are grey."
"I am not from Adare, not originally, sir." Now as he spoke, Sikney noted that his voice was deeper, harder, the Adarians, for the most part had lighter voices, easy on the ears.
"Rifle, and occupation before the guard?"
Del Tarn, pulled his rifle up, snapped it across his chest, leveled, and presented arms. His weapon was a plasma rifle. It fired super-heated blasted of energy which could crack open armor vehicles or melt flesh. The only plasma rifle in the regiment.
"Engineer, sir"
Sikney noted that del Tarn had bionic hands when he passed the rifle back. It was not uncommon for soldiers to pick up bionic implants over the course of their military careers; Sikney briefly wondered how extensive del Tarn's implants were.
Sikney marched back to a platform from which we could address the assembled soldiers. He was introduced by Planetary Governor Bula, and spoke a speech that was meant to inspire them, to fill them with courage and resolve, to uplift their spirits and to place their souls at the God-Emperor's right hand. They cheered him, they were ready. For the rest of his life, Sikney could not remember what he had said.
~ O ~
After the field muster, he had all his Captains report to his tent, he insisted on camping near the troops. In the large main room of the tent, he had a table put up, and had chairs brought in. He and his captains sat at the table, Lamm waited behind Sikney. An attendant brought a tray with wine goblets and placed on in front of each of the men. Each man here was a lifer in the planetary militia system. All had excellent records, great potential and no real combat experience.
"Gentleman, a toast to war," Sikney called, raising his glass high, a chorus of cheers greeted him. They all drained their glasses as one.
"A toast to you colonel," called captain Boortz, as he waved the attendant back, after the young women refilled the glasses Boortz continued, "A traditional Adare war toast, May you shoot straight, charge fast, die hard, and pray often." A chorus of hear hear, and they drank.
"Well let's get to know each other. As you know I'm Colonel Dorn Sikney, this is my aid, Senior Sergeant Godwynn Lamm." Sikney indicated to Lamm's shadowy from behind him. "We both are from Beligarso. I have been in the His Imperial service for thirty-five years now. I know all of you by your records, but I care to know who you are, from yourselves. Captain Boortz, please go first."
"Thank you colonel. Captain Gobo Boortz, second company. I come from Hatzer, a small town north of Antigua. My father was a Moak rancher and my mother worked at the school, they raised me and three siblings. I joined the Antigua Militia when I came of age, I wanted to drive tanks," he said with a smile. "As it turns out, I made a better infantryman then tanker. I saw action on Adare Luna, our so-called 'moon war'. I'm sure it didn't compare to some of the actions you have seen, but my men and I made a good account of ourselves."
Sikney recalled what he had read about the 'moon war'. A small action, only about two hundred militia men, and some five hundred arbites, they suppressed a worker uprising on the planetary satellite. The soldiers involved had indeed made a good account for themselves, only three killed, some thirty wounded, and nearly seven hundred workers killed or captured.
"Captain Jox Ratcliff, third company. I'm from Antigua herself, I worked on a manufactory line as a child, enlisted, and have been serving every since, I as well saw action on Luna."
"Captain Sven Warix, fourth company. My family hales from the mountains west of Ektelon. All my fathers and bothers are warriors, so I am what I am because of who they are. Warix mean 'warrior's blood' in the old tongue and I may not have seen live combat, but I have sworn an oath to the God-Emperor to live up to my families' name-sake."
"Captain Betin Jugumander, fifth company. My family worked a fishing vessel in the Tan Azrul Archipelago. When I was a teen, I fell ill one day, and was left at home with my grand-mama. My father, mother, three brothers and three sisters went to sea, never to return. I worked other ships, but I just didn't feel right, so when I came of age, I joined the Tan Azrul Militia. I signed up for the muster when I heard they were asking for officers with combat experienced, we still deal with a lot coastal raiders in TAA."
"Captain Marian Trescot, six company. My family herd's moak far south of here, on the shores of the River Brugg, and by the grace of the Golden Throne, I have the privilege to fight in His battles."
~ O ~
Sikney and his captains met three times daily, at sun-raise, at mid-day, and at sun-set. At times they would talk for hours at a time, especially the evening briefing. At others, the meetings were very brief, very business like. These meeting were an effort to get to know one another, practice good battlefield briefing techniques and to settle the affairs of moving a thousand and a half men with all their equipment off planet. The amount of paperwork was truly monumental. And in good typical Imperial Guard fashion, everything had to been done in triplicate. Sikney joked it was easier to command a regiment in war then in peace time.
On the afternoon of the third day, preparations were nearing completion. All of the supplies, and many of the auxiliary staff, were aboard the Galatan, their new home for now. Sikney heard a soft cough from outside the tent.
"Enter."
The flap was pulled away and Lamm walked in, data-slates in arms.
"How are things processing?" Sikney asked.
"Nearly there sir. Doctor Sharkov and his medical staff went up this morning." Lamm paused for a moment. "Sir, there is an issue which I think requires your attention."
"Go on then."
"Sir, the men have eight hundred and eighty three canines they wish to bring with them." Lamm stated bluntly. "Not counting yours, sir.
"What?" Sikney asked, bewildered.
"Sir, the men have eight hundred …"
"I heard you the first time, Lamm," Sikney interrupted. "Eight hundred and eighty three dogs, are you kidding me?"
"No sir."
"Good Emperor!" Sikney exclaimed. "I will address this issue with the captains tonight. We will not be bringing nearly nine hundred dogs with us."
"If I may say sir, the Adarians really like their dogs."
"Lamm I am aware of the cultural heritage of caninies on Adare, and of the men's love for their canine companions. However, it isn't practical to bring them."
Lamm thought for a moment, and then simply shrugged, "I guess not sir. These slates require your signature."
~ O ~
A few minutes before the evening briefing Sikney heard a light cough outside his tent flap. He looked at his wrist-timer. His captains were early. "Enter," he called.
Sikney turned to gather up some memo-pads and printed reports as he turned back was surprised to see six men not five, and six wrong men to boot. Not his captains at all, these men were his chief sergeants. Company Sergeants Salka, Soll, Odell, Fruhtz, Zasky and Mangalam. They formed rank and stood sharp at attention. They saluted as one.
Sikney smiled, "I asked for five captains and get six sergeants." Tossing them a lazy salute.
None spoke.
"My guess is you came here for a reason. So speak up."
Salka was the first to speak. "Sir, we've heard rumors that our dogs aren't going to be allowed to come with us. Is it true?
Zasky added quickly, "Sir, Adarians love their dogs. They are as important to us as … well, something that's really important to you." He trailed off weakly, turning red faced, unable to think of anything that was important to Sikney, as none of them knew him. He smiled.
"Gentlemen it is impractical to bring nearly nine hundred dogs on the starship. Think of the additional food they'd intake, think of the extra waste matter they would create. Where would they be housed? There are no kennels aboard the Galatan."
"Sir, it would be a crushing blow to morale before we ever left Adare, sir. To bring our dogs with us is to that a part of Adare with us. They say when a Guard regiment leaves its home world; very few can expect to return." Odell said.
"We even signed over all of our worldly possessions." Mangalam added.
"And the men would resent it, sir," Soll added. "And they would resent you, sir."
Everyone was silent for moment.
"Sergeant Soll, are you threatening me?" Sikney asked.
"No sir, I'm just stating how the men will react. I know how I would react and as a son of Adare I can guess they will act the same."
Sikney stood slowly, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. That will be all."
"Sir …" Salka, Odell and Mangalam piped up quickly.
"I said that will be all." Sikney added quietly. The sergeants stood at attention, saluted and departed.
A few minutes later, the regiment's five captain arrived. They gathered around the table, chatting lightly and drinking cups of caffeine. Sikney joined them from a backroom. They saluted easily.
"Gentleman, twice today it has been brought to my attention that the men want to bring their dogs with them. What do you all think of this?" Sikney asked with no to do.
The Captains glanced at one another, Trescot answered first, looking up from his cup of caffeine. "We aren't going to be allowed to bring 'em?"
Sikney said nothing.
"Colonel, sir, I think I know what you are thinking, but the men were promised they could bring their dogs with them." Boortz said.
"By whom?" Sikney asked.
Boortz produced a data-slate, and searched for a moment, then showed it to Sikney. It was an Imperial Guard voluntary sign-up form, local version, article f-iix read … Adare Guardsmen's will be allowed to bring their said canine companions …
After reading this, Sikney looked at Boortz and asked, "What is Adare's ugliest profanity?"
"Zek, sir" he said. 'Definitely, I'd say it's Zek."
"You all agree?" he asked the rest of captains
"Yes, sir." They all agreed.
"Then I'd feel now is the time use it. Zek those Adminstratium bastards! Zek them to hell!" Sikney said with feeling.
~ O ~
Getting Captain Berger of the Galatan to understand was very tough. Sikney decide he would do in person. He took a quick hopper shuttle late that night.
"Emperor damn you Sikney, I will not have hounds running around my ship!" Berger roared. Sikney sat quietly while the man continued. "This is an Emperor blessed starship, not some mangy barn! You have the authority to deny the order, Sikney, one word from you and done. By the time those ink-drinkers find out you've done, we'd be to far gone to do anything about it. Well, what do think?"
Sikney waited a few seconds to collect his thoughts, and said, "Three things captain Berger. First, a courtesy, you will address me by my title as well as my name. Second, these men were promised, albeit, by other powers that be, that they could bring their faithful companions. In time they will be lied to and used enough. And I will not deny them this one small present. And finally, as this ship seconded to the Imperial Guard, do that means me. Having eight hundred and eight three, no four, hounds on board does not pose a threat to the vessel, or conflict with any navy regulations or procedures that might be harmful to the vessel or the crew, you have no authority over this matter. What I say is final, the hounds come with us."
Berger's face turned bright red, veins throbbed in his neck. With a huff he throw open the door and he stormed off, although Sikney do not know where, as they were in his office.