Alexander watched as Elohiem walked away before turning off the path and wandering amongst the various plants and trees that made up the Seer gardens. Some plants possessed radiant shades of blues, reds and yellows coloured by greens, oranges, pinks and all manner of other colours. The trees formed a canopy overhead that was occasionally broken by starlight. Alexander noted that while almost everything he had seen of the Craftworld thus far had been ordered in some way, shape or form the gardens seemed…different, naturally chaotic but somehow tampered with, ''Ordered chaos'' He thought to himself. He wandered for a time before coming to a clearing where he saw a group of five Eldar gathered at the foot of a tree, as he turned to leave he heard a soft feminine voice sing out ''Welcome child, would you care to join us?'' Alexander turned around and met the warm gaze of an Eldar female with long black hair leaning against the tree ''I...beg your pardon?'' Alexander said surprised at the welcoming tone and demeanour.
''Would you care to join us?'' she said again, her voice losing none of her hospitality, which stood in stark contrast to every other Eldar he had met.
''I…..do not wish to trouble you….'' He began
''Ha! Trouble us he says'' a male Eldar with short jet black hair said scoffed
''Hush Lindir'' the first female said ''It is no trouble child, come join us''
She watched as Alexander sat down, the others paying him no mind. ''Welcome child, to out humble little group''
''Care for a pipe little one?'' A male with golden hair asked holding a small brown pouch of a crinkled brown substance.
''Oh well I…..'' Alexander stared, planning to accept, it was true he had smoked a pipe back in the navy and as an attached medical officer in the Imperial Guard, but his pipe and tobacco had been lost when the ship went down, which was highly inconvenient since he hadn't planed on stopping any time soon.
''Not for him Haldir, he would not be able to handle it'' the Eldar called Lindir said, much to the amusement of those present.
''If you don't mind my asking, who are you?'' Alexander asked the dark haired Eldar woman
''Who am I?'' she replied in a teasing manner, ''I am Mithrellas, and these are my fellow dreamers''
''Dreamers?''
''Those who walk the path of the dreamer'' Haldir said
''What is the path of the dreamer?'' Alexander asked more confused than anything.
''It is a path'' A red haired Eldar woman laughed, ''It is a form of meditation, where we find peace in dreams, for in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own. Where we swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud''.
''But dreams are nothing but chemicals in the brain'' Alexander countered
''Nerdanel speaks the truth child, this is who we are. Dreams are reflections of what we want, but the meaning of them is something different altogether, that is why we meditate, but also to escape the troubles of this plain. Even Humans dream, do not tell us that you wish your nights were empty and void.''
''I suppose not, they do have their place'' Alexander accepted, this was met by a murmur of approval from the others. He then spend the next hour finding more about his unlikely hosts. Nerdanel and Haldir were once Eagle pilots before embarking on the path of the dreamer and they were bonded together. The other Eldar that had not spoken was called Saeros who had short brown hair and grey eyes, was once on the path of the seer before embarking on the path of the Mariner for many years until coming to the dreamers. Lindir was a thought-talker before becoming a dreamer.
''What is a thought-talker?'' Alexander asked
''It would be the equivalent of a diplomat for your kind''
''So you would have met Humans before''
''yes, I met many times with your leaders in the Inquisition, as well as common field officers when the need arose. You are a strange species''
''How so?''
''Ha! Where do I begin? For every good act there is an equally bad act to accompany it, you are also highly individualistic and opinionated, if three humans are in a room, there will be six opinions. You are like children, trying to tell your elders that you are far more mature than you actually are. It is….amusing.''
Finally there was Mithrellas, who was a ranger and outcast for many years before returning home.
''Why? if you don't mind my asking''
''I saw so many things child, attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion, I watched seabeams glitter in the darkness near the Tannhäuser gate. Such moments are full of both joy and sorrow, and over time…there is only so much one can bear, only so many scars ones soul can endure. I did not wish to fall as some did, and after a time...I grew tired, so I left''.
''How long did you spend as a ranger and an outcast?''
''A great many years''
It was clear she didn't really want to talk about her past any further so Alexander dropped the subject. The group talked for a while about recent events concerning Alexander and his arrival on the Craftworld and where he was from originally.
''What world are you from child?'' Mithrellas asked
'' A snow world called Elositirion'' he replied
'' I do not know of this world, is it on the frontier on Imperial space?''
''Yes, way out on the western edge of the Segmentum Pacificus, we are one for the last truly Imperial worlds, but I would rather not talk about it'' he said
''Of course child''
''I would like to know why you are so welcoming though'' he said and the group laughed
''We are not all stoic and cold beings whodespise Humanity little one'' Saeros said ''You yourself don't hate us, you might mistrust us but you don't hate us, it is the same for us. Yes we have fought you before but that was the past, and we have long since moved on with our lives, I suggest you do the same. Let old ghosts rest I think humans say''.
''That must be a rare philosophy on Biel-Tan'' he said, clearly mispronouncing the Craftworld's name.
''It is'' Saeros finished
''But….how do I forget?'' Alexander continued
''You don't child, you never forget entirely. Making peace and forgetting are not the same thing'' Mithrellas said softly
''We dream, we loose ourselves in our dreams. Sometimes for hours, sometimes for years. It varies for each of us'' she continued.
''You speak as though you have no control over your dreams'' Alexander said, becoming increasingly more curious.
''What makes you thing that we want to control our dreams?'' Lindir said,
''Well I….'' Alexander began, not sure where he was going with the Eldar's response.
''If we control our dreams, then we lose the very essence of what we are striving to achieve.'' he continued, ''and before you ask, peace and understanding is what we are looking for, nothing more''.
''And if one is haunted by one's past? What then? Why would I desire to see the ghosts of my past? The faces of those long since dead?'' Alexander said, becoming increasingly distressed at what was being mentioned
''Even in death do our loved ones have wisdom to share'' Nerdanel said.
''What do you mean?''
''Difficult to explain, easier to experience'' She said again
''Indeed, come close child'' Mithrellas said as she shuffled towards Alexander, who was still highly skeptical of what the Eldar talked about. Mithrellas placed two fingers on Alexander's temples and began slow massaging, her hair sweeping over her shoulders and her eyes locked onto his. ''Do not fear my child, look at me''
Alexander met her gaze and was soon entranced by the depths of her eyes. It has been said that the eyes are the gateway to the soul, in that moment Alexander could not find any explanation that would have disproved that assertion. Her deep amber eyes glittered like fresh honey and soon she began to hum and slowly the others began to join in and the garden was filled with an unnatural but beautiful melody. Alexander soon found himself slipping into a deep sleep.
''How did it go?''
''You know I can't talk about that''
''Oh come on, who's going to know?''
''That's not the point''
''Just tell me man, what was he like''
''Hard...Cold...really hard''
''Well he has been around for, what, sixty years?''
''He looks about that''
''What did you talk about?''
''Training, what it means to be an officer, duty all the stuff that we are supposed to say''
''What did he say?''
''I can't tell you that!''
''Why?''
''Because that's a firing squad if I do. You know the rules as well as I do''
''But its between you and I''
''And the captain''
''Like he is going to find out''
''You want to risk it? Why is it so important''
''Because the man is a legend, who wouldn't want to know?''
''ATTENTION ON DECK! CAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE!''
All hands snapped to attention as a man in a long Grey coat entered the command center. The man looked at the fresh batch of officers with a grim and cold look. Young, why are they always so damn young? He thought. The young officers, fresh from training stood perfectly still in two lines of six, staring directly ahead whilst remaining at attention. Their dress uniforms still showing the press lines.
'' At ease'' The men stood easy, but still fixing their full attention on their new commander.
''So, this is the Emperor's finest is it?'' The Captain said, ''I must say I am…..disappointed.'' The captain began inspect his new charges gazing up and down their uniforms attempting to find any fault, a few were noted before he stopped in front of two men. One a young 3rd class Lieutenant called Strauss and the other a young medical officer called Weber.
''Mr Strauss, what is the rules regarding rumors and inappropriate discussion topics as outlined in Naval Law?''
''Sir, all those partaking in said activities are to be reported and disciplined accordingly'' Strauss replied.
''And what are the most effective disciplinary actions?''
''Flogging for first time offenses or minor cases, execution for more….extreme cases''
''Mr Weber, Are officers exempt from these rules?''
''No sir, it is advised that officers be punished more severely''
''Then why are you discussing sensitive information between yourselves?''
Both men were silent before one spoke.
''No excuse sir'' Strauss said, the captain nodded before looking at the other man
''No excuse either sir'' Weber said.
''I appreciate your honesty gentlemen, see that it never happens again or I will take disciplinary action. Am I clear?''
''Yes sir'' they both said in unison.
''Very good. Now then, All Engineering officers report to deck 9, Technical officers report to deck 2, Medical officers report to deck 5, Marines report to the master-at-arms on deck 4 and all bridge officers remain here. We depart in 1 hour, man your posts and do you duty. Dismissed''
The men returned to attention as the captain left the room. Weber and Strauss began walking down the corridor in silence, both rather shaken by what had gone down.
''I fucking told you not to ask'' Strauss said
''Yeah, sorry about that. Guess he hates me now'' Weber replied
''He doesn't hate you, don't be an idiot''
''Oh come on, you saw what he was like''
''I am not talking about this anymore, I am not prepared to face a commissar over this so just drop it, like the Captain did''
''Fine, I will see you later?''
''If you don't get me killed first then yes. Meet me in the officers mess.''
Both me shook hands and were about to leave before a voice spoke behind them. ''Gentlemen''
Weber and Strauss turned around to see the captain walking down the corridor from which they just came. ''Sir'' they both said
''Mr Strauss I believe you are wanted on the bridge''
''Aye captain'' Strauss turned to leave and gave his friend a concerned look before heading back to his post.
''Mr Weber, please come with me. It is time we had a talk''
''Aye captain'' was all he could muster, desperately trying to think of a heartfelt apology for what had happened. They walked in silence for a time until they reached a large door with the Imperial Navy Insignia on it. As they entered, Weber looked with awe as the room was far larger than he expected, roughly 15 meters wide and 20 meters long, a great oak desk that looked almost as ancient as the captain was at the far end of the cabin, various books in cases lined the walls, a door in the far left hand corner indicated that the actual sleeping quarters of the captain were elsewhere. The captain went over to his desk and sat down, he began reading a number of papers that were on the desk. A number of weapons lined the walls, not all of them human but one caught they eye of the young medical officer. It was a sword like thing that looked more like a collection of razorblades that had been shaped into a sword like pose than an actual sword. Whatever it was it was a vicious looking weapon that was masterfully crafted.
''It's called a Razor-Flail'' The captain said from his desk without looking up from whatever it was he was doing.
''It's….magnificent'' Weber said
''Even better in combat''
''You use it sir?''
''Throne no, its Xenos technology but one cannot deny neither its effectiveness or its beauty, regardless of how dark''
''Who uses it?''
''The dark Eldar''
''How do you know its effective''
''Killed a Wych who used it, got the scars to prove it as well. Malicious Bitch she was, but I defeated her and took her weapon.''
''Quite the fight I imagine sir''
''It was, they put me in an induced coma for three weeks before I was fit to stand, the Wych had poisoned the blade. But enough of the Dark Eldar, we will face them soon enough no doubt.''
Weber moved from the wall to in front of the desk standing in an 'at ease' position, the captain moved a few papers about before he lent back into his chair and eyed his newest medical officer. He was young, clean shaven with black hair, rather tall and with elongated features and softly spoken. For all intensive purposes he looked surprisingly like an Eldar but was still clearly human.
''You take an interest in Xenos?'' the captain asked
''Yes sir, but only to find their weaknesses'' Weber replied carefully
''Good….but even that has its risks''
''Humanity is perfect sir there is….''
''Don't be stupid boy'' sommers growled ''You know as well as I do nothing is perfect, don't pretend otherwise, I am alive because I admitted certain facts. Humanity is flawed, Xenos are far more intelligent than we give them credit for and if we underestimate anything we die. Simple as that. As a medical officer you will see things that will challenge everything you think you know, you're young so I am assigning to to Alvredus, major trauma surgeon deck 8 B wing. He will teach you a few things. On this ship we don't always travel with a battle group so be ready for anything. Your basic training was good I see, awarded best shot. So I may also assign you with the Royal marines. For now however welcome aboard, get your things and move out.
''Yes sir'' Weber said and began moving toward the door, as he reached for the handle the captain said something else.
''Oh and Alexander'' the captain said with a funny sounding tune in his voice.
''Sir?''
''Give my regards to Aredhel''
''What?!'' Alexander spun around and there saw…...something sitting exactly where the captain was, in the captains uniform, but now his face was dominated by a hideous smile that stretched from ear to ear, its teeth were bone white and horrifying laughter filled the room until the captain or whatever it was and room faded and shifted, the laughter slowly faded until white was left in its place.
Alexander awoke with a start, beads of sweat already on his forehead. The sun shone through the glass windows and Alexander felt sick.
''Sleep well?'' a voice said from behind him
''What the hell? He said with a start, he whipped around to see Elohiem sitting at Alexanders desk.
''I said did you sleep well?'' his eyes piercing Alexanders
''No…...No I bloody well didn't''
''Bad dream then?''
''Don't talk to me about bloody dreams...how the blazes did I get here?'' Alexander said still quite disoriented, confused and very distressed.
''I found you asleep under a tree, what were you doing?''
''I met….the dreamers''
''Ahh'' Elohiem said ''now I understand, you saw something you thought was real before reality broke through''
''Yeah, something like that''. He said. Elohiem could feel the fear and confusion radiating of Alexander's mind and soul. Something must have shown itself to him, something truly terrible, but then again, humans were frightened easily.
''What did you see?'' he asked calmly
''I…don't wish to speak of it''
''Do you even know?'' Elohiem said curiously but quietly, there was a pause, Alexander breathing heavily before responding, ''Some things….aren't meant to be known''
This was not the answer Elohiem wanted, but for now he could drop it. ''Well…..given that you had an...eventful night I will allow you to spend the day exploring''
''You left me alone last night, and look what happened there'' Alexander said, not really interested in doing nothing.
''Oh you won't be alone, I shall have someone spend the day with you, if only to ensure you stay out of trouble''
''And who might that be?'' he said half paying attention
''Aredhel''
Alexander's heart gave the slightest of flutters when he heard her name, any other day he would be more then happy to explore the Craftworld with her, but today, especially after his peculiar dream, he wasn't feeling all that up to it. Elohiem noticed the look on his face.
''In case you are wondering, you don't have a choice'' he said with a broad grin on his face. Alexander gave a weak smile in return, at very least it would be something to do.
''Get yourself ready, she will be here shortly'' with that Elohiem left the room. Alexander spent the next half hour getting ready, he still wasn't used to wearing the Eldar robes that he had been given, but then again odd dreams, living with an Eldar farseer while being taught Eldar mythology wasn't exactly planned either. Wearing Eldar clothing was the least of his concerns when he thought about it. A knock on the door broke his train of thought, and he proceeded to open the door. Aredhel stood there, her hair draped over her shoulders and her piercing graze locking on to his eyes with frightening speed. She wore long billowing robes of green and white, plain but unsurprisingly beautiful nonetheless.
''Greetings Alexander, are you ready?'' she said warmly
''Greetings to you milady, yes I am''
''Come then. Today I wish to walk the starlight gardens. Farseer Elohiem thinks it would do you good to explore as well''
They took the shuttle to the gardens, the journey was largely uneventful. Most other Eldar not paying much attention to the human, a few looks of contempt but for the most part nothing. Neither Aredhel or Alexander said muchon their journey. Alexander still wondering about the dream he had, and Aredhel lost more or less in anticipation.
The Starlight gardens were, as their name implied, gardens that were lit entirely by starlight. However it was more of a causeway like structure high above any other building on the Craftworld, almost like a garden halo around the dome of seers. In the garden many more rare and unknown species of plant life could be found, Aredhel had explained that the few Eldar that did wander up there rarely saw another as the gardens were very dense and very large. As it turns out she wasn't wrong, the first thing that Alexander noticed was the silence, there were a few calls and noises from some unseen creatures but aside from that, nothing. They wandered through the trees and Alexander noted that, upon looking up, the trees showed displays of Crown shyness, which left channel like gaps in the canopy thus allowing the starlight to shine through.
''Beautiful, is it not?'' Aredhel asked looking up at the canopy
''Yes, it is'' he replied
''Have you wandered through forests much?'' she asked
''When I was a child I did, later…...not so much. You?''
''For a time the woods of many worlds were my home, safety was found there more than any other place''
''What worlds did you visit?''
''Many, ice worlds, desert worlds, civilized worlds….All had their beauty. You yourself must have seen many''
''I did, but…..they were not pretty''
''Do you think that every world I saw was beautiful?'' she said with a small grin on her face
''But you said…''
''I said they had their beauty, I did not say were beautiful nor did I say they are any longer''
''True enough'' he said conceding the point.
''You must have seen beauty at some point surely?'' she asked
he nodded, ''Yes I did many times, but it wasn't in walking through woods or forests''
''What was it then?''
''The way that men laughed when they shared a smoke, the cheer that went up when relief arrived, and the songs we sang when there wasn't anything else to do''
''Do you miss those moments?''
''Some days. Is it different for the Eldar?''
''I cannot speak for the rest of my kin, but for the rangers I traveled with it was similar at times...we bonded over mundane things, cherished one another's company''
''If I may, while I don't know an awful lot about Eldar paths I do know that rangers don't stay too long on craftworlds...but I don't fully know why''
Aredhel was quiet for a time before speaking ''In short it is because our minds wander, rangers are individualistic Eldar who are, more or less, afflicted by wanderlust. Hence we are outside of a path, strictly speaking and there therefore more prone to….darker indulgences, thus we don't stay on a craftworld long.''
''But you have been here for weeks now''
''What does that tell you?''
Alexander was rather surprised, shocked even upon his new found realization ''You left?'' he said surprised
''Its not uncommon'' Aredhel replied ''But yes I did''
''May I ask why''
''No, that is something I wish to keep to myself for the time being''
''As you wish''
They wandered for a time more along the 'naturally' occurring garden paths, enjoying nothing but the silence and the others company, although neither would admit it. Aredhel enjoyed the quiet, as it made her feel safer, allowing her to forget the troubles that currently pursued her. Alexander however, while acknowledging the silence around him, was currently focused on the storm of thoughts that invaded his mind regarding his dream. The occasional noises would cause him to jerk out of his solitude and scan the area with well practiced awareness, despite his efforts, his nervousness and troubled demeanor did not go unnoticed.
''Something is on your mind'' Aredhel said in a matter-of-fact sort of tone. Her ability to read him wasn't something that Alexander had gotten quite used to yet. ''There is nothing to fear here doctor'' she said calmly
''I know, just….force of habit I guess''
''Is there something on your mind?'' she asked
''No''
''Humans are poor lairs in general, you are no exception''
''And how do you know I'm lying?''
''You go rigid, look straight ahead, you heart rate quickens and you tremble ever so slightly'' she said
''Why are you looking at me so intently?''
The question caught Aredhel off guard, why had she been looking at him at all? Never mind reading his reactions to lying, she didn't respond right away. ''Never mind then'' she said. Soon they both came to a clearing, the trees surrounding the place in a circle like formation, a small stream running through the forest, dividing the clearing into two. There Aredhel sat down and motioned for Alexander to follow suit, he sat down opposite her wincing at the pain in his leg, neither could deny the fact that this place, with no other sound but the gentle flowing of water, was incredibly peaceful as well as beautiful. Neither said anything for a time before he spoke;
''I have a question''. Aredhel did not reply but instead gave a curious look.
''You said that you have been a ranger for a while now, that you have visited many worlds and seen many things. I assume you have fought?''
''Yes of course, why?'' her eyes now shining brightly
''I assume you have fought Humans, us…..Imperials?''
''Yes''
''do you….''
''Regret it? No, why should I? at the time it was the right decision with the information I had. You mean to ask if I hate humans, you want to know if I view your kind with any small amount of distaste, is that it? The answer, as I am sure you are aware, is not that simple. I have killed imperials before yes, I would do again and perhaps I will, the future is never certain. But if you want to know if I hate Humanity then all I can say truthfully is I don't know, as a ranger I saw the best and worst of your kind. Can I hate you because of your nature? No, do I like what I have seen? no. So as I said, the answer is not simple''.
Alexander was surprised and slightly irritated at being cut off, but he had his answer nonetheless. He could see the logic behind it, but it was difficult to agree, if only because he was a human.
''Have you fought Eldar?'' She asked
''Yes''
''Then allow me to reverse you question: Did you regret it?''
''No''
''My point exactly''
''The circumstances were different''
''Doesn't matter, you killed Eldar, I killed Humans, circumstances don't matter in a battle.'' she said coldly.
''I don't believe it is as black and white as that, if you cut out the build up and look only at the act then ….what are you supposed to do with that? I fought Eldar ok sure, and you fought Humans, fine, but that wasn't really my question, my question was: Did you regret it?''
''As I said, No''
''Then...there isn't really anymore to be said on the matter is there.''
'' Do you hate Eldar?''
Now this was a question that Alexander had been thinking about for a good long while now, theoretically he should hate them, if only on general principal, he had seen the dead left behind after their attacks, failing that they're Xeno's, the bane of mankind. But on the other hand, he is alive and well and living, more or less, in harmony with them, in their home. Thus his conclusion was not as straightforward as he would have liked it to have been.
''Truthfully, I don't know'' he said after a pause. She smiled, ''at least you are honest. But why did you want to know?''
''I wanted to know if I could trust you'' he said
She cocked her head to one side, ''Your conclusion?''
''I would rather not say''
''No, then''
''I didn't say that''
''Yes, you did!'' Aredhel said in an annoyed manner, ''If you trust me, you would say so if not then any other answer will do. So I shall asked again, What is your conclusion?''
Alexander thought for a moment, fighting through the remainder of religious doubt before saying quietly ''I trust you...but not your race''
Aredhel was slightly surprised. ''Why?''
''You spared my life, you have shown greater consideration for me and you seem to be the most interested in getting to know me as an equal. I respect these facts and thus...I trust you, to a certain extent''
Aredhel gazed into his eyes and saw that he was telling the truth and was humbled. Someone's respect, regardless of species or race, was difficult to earn and she was quietly pleased that she had his, if only a little. ''Thank you, that makes me...happy''
Alexander gave a shadow of a smile before looking away. ''You are welcome'' he said.
The two of them sat there for a while, simply enjoying each others company as equals and, almost, as friends. Then she lay back and simply gazed at the stars, Alexander watched her for a moment, drinking in her alien beauty, before lying down himself and gazing like she was doing. Soon they both felt themselves falling into the dark embrace of sleep.
''INCOMING, GET DOWN!''
''MACHINE GUNNERS TO THE FRONT!''
''Sharpshooters to the top Mr Krayt''
''Sir!, Sergeant, Take your company west...''
''BOLTER CREWS LIGHT 'EM UP!''
''Contact Mortar fire teams...give them our Fucking positions…..Get them to give us some fire support!'' A sergeant said to a vox operator''
''Mortars, range to target is being transmitted over''
'' Copy, received…...Fire crew standby….. Shells, mark two, range 200 meters, plus 20, angle 40 degrees….FIRE!''
A squad of guardsmen fired aimlessly into the forest whilst trying to fall back.
''LAS FLASHES, TARGET THE LAS FLA...'' a corpral called before being shot in the head.
''MOVE! GET OUT OF THE FUCKING WAY!'' A older Lieutenant shouted at them, three men dropped from enemy fire as the ever familiar sound of Mortars screamed overhead.
''KEEP LOW BOYS, KEEP LOW.'' A horrid metallic twanging sound rang out as a single round punctured the officers chest, the man dropped without a word. Two men grabbed him and hauled him into a foxhole
''MEDIC!'' One yelled at the top of her lungs
''Bloody hell…'' one guardsman cursed as las rounds and bullets flew about his position. A young doctor bent over the wounded officer, the bullet had gone straight through the man's chest, causing massive damage to his lungs, ribcage and spine, which was now fractured. His T7 vertebra was heavily damaged. The man died a few minutes later.
A spotter then noticed movement on the other side of the battlefield, through his binoculars he saw, to his horror the barrel of a tank.
''HOSTILE ARMOUR!'', a massive explosion from the tank's barrel answered him as the shell tore into the Imperial flank.
''ANTI-TANK UNITS FORWARD!''
A mortar shell landed in the middle of the Imperial trench, three men were killed outright one had his leg blown off below the knee. ''MEDIC!'' someone cried
''Move….MOVE!'' the doctor said. Checking the man, who was howling in pain, he could seen a large amount of shrapnel in the wound, which for whatever good it was doing, held the artery in place a stopped a large amount of bleeding. ''STRETCHER!''
two men showed up with a hastily constructed stretcher, thee doc, bound the wound with bandages and gave a shot of Laudanum for the pain, it wouldn't do much to lower the man's heart rate but given the circumstances it was the best he could do. ''GET HIM OUT OF HERE''
''Sir, we have to fall back, B and J company's are gone'' a sergeant said to a Lieutenant
''Gone? what do you mean gone? imperial company's don't just fucking vanish
''Dead sir''
''Emperor Damn them all!''
''ORDER SIR?!'' a corporal called
''I...ah...'' the moment of hesitation by the Lieutenant was cut short by the ever familiar sound of a bolter pistol
''STAND AND FIGHT YOU DOGS! FIGHT THEM...OR FIGHT ME!'' a Commissar bellowed, the company shouts and renewed fire answered his call.
''INCOMING TANKS!'' someone shouted as a tank rolled forward.
''MR ALAIR, YOU ARE IN COMMAND!'' the commissar shouted at a second Leftennat.
''VOX OFFICER, ARTILLERY!''
''POSITION SIR!''
''140 DEGREES NORTH WEST OF OUR POSITION!''
''SIR!'' Artillery now began to pick up and two chaos tanks were engulfed in fire.
THAT'S THE FUCKING ONE LADS, KEEP IT UP! VESTA! YOUR SQUAD TO TAKE POINT, HOLD HERE WHILE WE FALL BACK, 40 SECONDS THEN LEG IT!''
''SIR!''
''YOU DARE RETREAT IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY?! WHAT TREASON IS THIS?!'' The commissar shouted
''WE STAY HERE, WE ALL DIE!'' The leftennant retorted
''COWARDS, I'LL HAVE YOU ALL SHOT, COME BACK HERE IMM...'' A las round from the enemy put short the commissar's protest
''RIGHT THAT IS IT, COMPANY!, WITHDRAW'' The order was repeated down the line and the company fell back, leaving the dead. As a result of men leaving their posts the one remaining chaos tank opened up with renewed vigor and hundreds of chaos cultists swarmed forth.
''BITCH, SON OF A BITCH!'' corporal Vesta shouted as a las round tore passed his face.
''FALL BACK! GET OUT OF THERE'' the second LT yelled and the last squad began running back to the rest of their Company who were now offering some serious covering fire from more defensible positions.
''Echo company this Beta wing, here to offer covering fire over''
''Roger, SIR WE GOT AIR SUPPORT!''the vox officer called to his Lieutenant
''ABOUT BLOODY TIME, ALL UNITS FALL BACK TO OUTPOST TYCUS!. The order was repeated down the line and the company began to run as the Imperial Air wing began to rain hell down on their enemy. A doctor grabbed a wounded trooper and began to fall back when he heard a voice behind him;
''Doctor!''
He turned around saw nothing, he turned back and saw an unusually tall figure in-front of him; ''Are you having fun?''
Alexander awoke with a pain in his head.
FOB Tycus, Imperial Report to High Command: Imperial Light company returned. 80 men and women of 300 fit for future active service, two known stragglers, a doctor (yet to be identified) carrying a wounded officer (later to be confirmed as third lieutenant Krayt). As a result of these losses I decided to postpone the assault on hill 470 for three days while the 117th Armoured division (accompanied by the 73rd Infantry division of the Vostroyan Firstborn) arrived at this outpost. The fresh companies made a successful assault into enemy territory. The assault succeeded and was a remarkable success, taking its objective despite a profound lack of knowledge of enemy strong points and strength. However I should note that there was an overall lack of hostiles when only three days ago the enemy managed to rout a battle-hardened company of three Hundred men and women who reported Armour. The Firstborns reported no Armour of any kind.
On a more personal note, I fear there are greater things at play here than we can imagine, there were more dead than living when the Firstborns stormed the hill. There are no other allied units in this sector so far as I am aware. Regardless we have completed our objective and are now awaiting further instructions.
The Emperor Protects...
Lieutenant-Commander Natalie Cutler
108th Vostroyan Firstborn
