B-Unit: Thanks man, I appreciate the add.

Sammy Holzbein: I always thought of Jevarn of less a professional supersoldier and more of a barbarian warrior, so I thought he might know a bit more of life in general. Though not express it very well. Thanks for reviewing.

Clickaholic Anonymous: Yes, Lister is still about 15, verging on 16. The dialogue is idiosyncratic, I think. I purposely insert double negatives and the like into the characters' speech. Is this what you're referring to, or are they grammatical errors? Thanks for commenting!

ZA: You made me grin there, thanks mate. I'm glad you're rooting for Lister!

O'Shovah: Possibly a trap... Not sure myself, to be honest. Yes, the idea of the Talk seemed funny to me as well lol.

ImperialFisted: Thanks for the adds. I admit it was quite shocking seeing 5 new emails in my inbox, but the experience was quite gratifying.

Talons of corax: Thanks for the review mate! And yes, I've read God of Death, or part of it at least. I didn't know what was happening with the Warcraft bit because I don't anything about Warcraft lol.

Author's Note: I has uni exams, so please don't crucify me for this late update.

I was part-way up the hill when I realised I was still carrying the radio. Briefly, I considered just taking it up there to spite Sernax and Mogas, the Jovi-damned twits. But then Skylan, Helfort and the other guy – Harog – they didn't deserve to be hurt if something did go awry.

With that in mind, I ran back down the slope, feet slipping in my socks. I briefly regretted not cleaning my muddy feet, but the thought of another dip was too much for me. I jumped into the little thicket, taking off the vox caster.

"For you," I said curtly. "Sarge will call if something's amiss."

Sernax nodded, staying silent. I guess he didn't feel as tough without Mogas nearby. I looked around. Jyon and Harog had produced folding shovels, and were digging foxholes and grenade-sumps around their positions. Skylan was lounging around drinking his beers – as usual, while Mogas helped Harog with his bare hands. The copse we were in had been fortified in both directions. It was already a natural depression, which had been deepened further by shovel work and lined with thick branches. Someone had managed to drag a dead tree into place on the stream-ward side. Crazy bastard, whoever that was.

A metallic clank sounded beside me, as Sernax deftly unscrewed his weapon's pole-grip at the top. On went the tripod underneath, and the legs were seated firmly in place. I frowned in surprise as Sernax pulled a folding plate from the back of his webbing, snapping it out briskly. This was new. It slotted over the top of the bolter like a miniature shield. I suppose it made it harder for enemy snipers to get a shot at his head.

I left the squad as Sernax was gauging different positions for his bolter, catching a glimpse of the two bodies tucked away to the side of the entrenchment; one dead, the other not quite so. Argeh's face was shrouded, thankfully, but Yumec's head was caked in dried blood. I turned away, unsure whether to feel angry or guilty about the feral worlder.

So I hurried up the hill, loading a clip into my captured rifle as I went. I just hoped it fired when I needed it to, because I wasn't too sure what some of the knobs on it did. Even if it did fire, I knew the rifle wasn't yet sighted for me; so, like most things in my life, it was up to Lady Luck. So far, I groused sullenly, she hadn't been exactly kind to me. I tugged at my Imperial fatigue pants, only for them to stick once again on my damp skin.

The sun was finally setting, I realised. And about time, damn it! How did the Targrenites live with such a long day? Hadn't their Ancients known anything? The ones on Sayre – insane as they were, had used some orbital STC machine called an planetary rotational modifier to change the length of the days to proper human standards. But then, true to form, they had used the thing to sling Quakefire at each other. The Ancients were geniuses, yes – but they were absolute idiots too. The galaxy was well rid of them.

But thirty hours was still an awfully long time, unless you spent most of it sleeping.

But no! Oh no! His Imperial Majesty wanted us to invade some random, miserable, stinking planet instead!

My stomach rumbled in disapproval as I trudged across the green grass. I hadn't eaten since our deployment. I looked up the hill. There was the house, warm and inviting, and beyond it was a looming mountain with its snow-topped peak. Even in the failing light I noticed a small encampment halfway up, built around a cave. There was a cooking fire going up there. I could tell by the small plume of smoke.

I tensed.

Was this treachery? The place looked a few kilometres distant, but a good sniper could reach any of us here. I glanced back down the slope, then at Sergeant Jevarn. He didn't seem too worried. I would have reckoned he hadn't seen the cave, if not for the fact that he was a space marine.

I still kept my eyes on the little camp, and slowly I realised why the sergeant wasn't fussed. There was a small horde of tumbling shapes around the cave mouth – children, they were. I spied a few taller forms that were unmistakeably female. The kids' mothers, then? I supposed they were refugees fleeing the coming war.

I reached the top of the hill, stopping at the front door next to Jevarn. He gave me a piercing look, and jerked his head towards the mountain, as if to ask, Did you see that?

Wordlessly, I nodded in reply. For all we knew, our contact could be listening at the door, reporting our every move to the enemy! I prayed to Jovi that wouldn't happen. I wanted somewhere comfortable to sleep for the night.

"Ready?" Jevarn said, this time with his mouth.

"Yes, sergeant," I answered. I levelled the gun at the door, finger at the trigger.

"Is this how the natives of your planet greet your hosts?" the sergeant asked dryly. "Charming."

Abashed, I lowered the weapon. I was being too paranoid, by far. This place was getting on my nerves. Jevarn knocked on the door.

Rap rap rap.

Immediately, the door flew open. A short, rotund man stood in the doorway, grinning broadly from ear to ear. He was going bald at the top of his head, and his beard was whiskery. For some reason, his shirt was tucked in formally, making his bulging belly even more prominent. The fellow couldn't have been older than forty.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong!" he smiled ecstatically, as if we were long lost friends.

I didn't have to translate the big hug I got. I was fairly sure it meant 'hello and welcome'. Completely stumped, I slapped the guy on the back, unsure of what to do. Our contact moved on to Jevarn. The Targrenite fellow was so short that he put his arms around Jevarn's waist. He might as well have been hugging a pole from the sergeant's stony lack of reaction, letting go after a few very awkward seconds.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," I ventured carefully. I hoped it meant 'Hello', but the phrase sounded a lot like 'I eat wood' or 'Surrender or die', so I wasn't sure. I smiled, just to get the message across.

He seemed taken aback for a fleeting moment, but my smile did the trick. He ushered us in, opening the door wide. Jevarn had to stoop to get in. I took off my helmet, setting it on a hat stand a little way in.

I looked around, surprised at how cosy the man's house was. A crackling fire was roaring away in the fireplace, with small pictures lining the mantelpiece above it. The glass windows were thrown open to catch the last of the sun's rays, but overhead 'lectric lanterns glowed steadily. The homespun curtains were tied neatly back, their white almost glowing against the light brown wall panelling. The big room we were in was more of a hall, with a carved wooden long-table that dominated the place. Wooden cutlery was set up neatly on top of it, a far cry from the fleet mess-tables. It looked as if it could have seated twenty people or more, much more than the lone man in front of us. Where was his family?

I looked about, noting the three closed doors at the end of the hall, as well as the back door. I knew instinctively that they would be rather small, seeing how large this hall was. A delicious smell wafted over, and my stomach growled in delight. By Jovi, I was famished! I was drooling!

Jevarn, on the other hand – he didn't like it. His bolter was still slung, but his right hand was hovering dangerously close to his holstered bolt pistol; and he was scratching his left ear, right next to where his comm-bead was. To anyone else the marine would have looked bored to the point of complacency, with one hand hooked in his belt and the other scratching his head. But there was a looseness to his form that only promised explosive, violent action, if you knew how to look. The sergeant was a subtle man.

Our contact tapped himself on the chest. "Humphrey Kotak," he announced. "Ding ding ding ah dong dong! Ding ding ding ah dong dong."

I didn't understand a word, so I was silent as he spread his arms, then flexed his biceps, imaginary as they were. I think our Humphrey was trying to introduce himself.

"Solas Lister," I replied, pointing to myself. I nodded at the sergeant. "Sergeant er...Jevarn."

I paused, suddenly realising that I didn't even know my sergeant's first name. Thankfully, the marine put me out of my misery.

"Sergeant Matthias Jevarn," he stated laconically. Then it was back to me.

"Imperials...um...Ding ding ding ah dong dong," I mumbled. I racked my tired brains, trying to figure out how to say '17th Company Luna Wolves, 2nd Expeditionary Fleet'.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong?" Humphrey queried. "Ding ding ding ah dong dong?"

Did he just say 'Are you a tree?', I wondered. Was he insulting us?

"Um..." I started.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," our contact said, smiling. I smiled back automatically.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," I agreed, not knowing what the guy was saying. It seemed best if I just looked like I knew what was happening.

Wait – no! He could be saying anything!

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong?" he asked again.

I gritted my teeth. Jovi damn, Lister! Use your brain! I struggled to remember the few set phrases I had learnt from ALICE.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," I said deliberately.

Humphrey's brow furrowed, and he waved back hesitantly. "Ding ding ding ah dong dong," he answered.

I grinned. Yes! I got it! I remembered how to say hello! In Russtek too!

Now for the rest of the language...

I managed to remember another sentence, so I decided to try it.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong?" How are you going?

The Targrenite looked at me as if I was a complete nutter. To be fair, I probably was speaking like one.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," he said after an embarrassing pause. "Ding ding ding ah dong dong?"

"Ding ding ding ah do –" I cut myself off, realising I was just repeating the same phrase in reply. I looked despairingly at Jevarn, by the sergeant looked on indifferently. To buy time I smiled hopelessly at Humphrey. He smiled back.

Then I had an idea. Jevarn didn't know Russtek, right? This idea was absolutely brilliant then!

"Sergeant, I can't get a word out of him," I fibbed quickly, trying to sound mournful. "He doesn't speak proper Russtek. I think the fellow's not right in the head."

Jevarn frowned at this. Instantly, my idea didn't seem half as bright. I suddenly remembered that the sergeant did mention he had tried to learn the language back at the road. Oh shit...

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong?" Jevarn spoke haltingly to a confused Humphrey.

I groaned. I knew what that meant! Do you speak Russtek?

Our contact nodded, cheeks wobbling. I pulled at my pants uncomfortably. They were still wet, and stuck.

"Ding ding ding...ah dong dong...?" the sergeant grated out unsteadily.

I felt like throwing up my hands in despair. I bet poor Mr Kotak felt that as well.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," he replied patiently, probably not wanting to offend the man-mountain in front of him. For the second time today, the Targrenite was forced to say 'hello' to us.

The sergeant turned to me, nonplussed. "Do you know anything else to say?" he rumbled quietly.

"Nope, sergeant," I mumbled guiltily. I knew I'd pay dearly for not learning Russtek, knowing Jevarn.

The sergeant just shook his head, muttering under his breath, "I'd sooner deal with orks than this..."

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong?" asked our Targrenite host. He was now eyeing us like we were a bunch of lunatics. Fortunately for him, Jevarn had the social awareness of a latrine, or else Humphrey would have been red paste on the stone flags.

The three of us went quiet. I took the opportunity to adjust my pants again, resolving never to get wet again. You could cut the silence with a knife. That food smelt great though...

"Right, I tire of this," Jevarn suddenly announced, snapping his fingers. "Initiate Lister, go get the vox and translator machine. Bring Initiate Helfort up with you as well. Tell him to wait outside, and if need be to warn the rest of the squad if trouble finds us. Go!"

"Yes sergeant!" I replied enthusiastically – for real this time.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong!" I tried to say to Mr Kotak, as friendly as can be. I was trying to say 'I'll be back in a short time'.

He didn't look like he understood, so as I was walking out the door I tapped my wrist where someone's chrono would be to emphasise 'time'. I finally finished fiddling with my pants, so I put my hands together, just a tiny bit apart to emphasise the 'short' bit. The fat man coloured furiously, but I didn't really notice as I exited the house, leaving him with only my sergeant.

There wouldn't be a word spoken at all, knowing Jevarn.

…...

I found myself at the bottom of the hill a minute later. The sun had rapidly descended, leaving us in twilight. I could see quite clearly though, just not as far as in daylight however.

"Lister!" someone hissed ahead. It was Sernax. I was suddenly staring down the barrel of a heavy bolter.

"That's me," I answered carefully. "Where's Helfort?"

"Where he was half an hour ago! What's going on?" he asked. The barrel moved on.

A half hour? We had been talking for that long?

"We can't get a word out of him," I moaned. "Me and the sarge tried, but nope. Dunno enough Russtek."

"Well that's just convenient," Sernax complained. "But what you need Helfort for?"

"Sarge wants the vox up there too. I suppose Helfort's there to run back down if the enemy turns up," I replied.

"What?" Sernax exclaimed. I noticed a few heads turning in the gloom. "What's the vox for?"

"It's got some translator thingy..." I shuffled around, trying to find the hidden radio. "Where is it?"

"Here," Sernax admitted grudgingly. He shoved the set to me. I made sure that the translator case was still latched on, and slung the radio back onto my back. I didn't say another word as I set off to find Jyon, just nodding in Sernax's direction instead.

"Jyon!" I hissed into the dark. I approached a dimly lit figure. "That you?"

"Ah' ain't no 'elfort!" Skylan's dark form protested, emerging from the shadows of a tree. He waved his arms vaguely, still clutching a beer can. It glinted in the moonlight. By Jovi, how did he manage to take that many in his webbing? "The guy's over there!"

"Sorry bro. Can barely see nothing in this muck." I peered into the deepening gloom. "By Jovi, he's taking this camouflage thing seriously, huh?"

"The guy loves the sarge, ser' obviously. 'Ccording ta' 'elfort, the sun shines outta Jevarn and the Emprah's arse. 'E even told me to do it with 'im, ya' know, conceal yerself under a pile'a leaves and crap. Tried lecturin' me fer ten minutes. Ah' told 'im to bugger off, and fer once 'e did. Jus' 'ope 'e didn't bugger off too much..." There was a slight tinkle as Sky finished the last of his can.

"Well if the enemy does come, I guess he'll be well prepared," I commented diplomatically. "But is there any sign of the Targrenites?"

"Jevarn's bloody 'idolaters'? Naw, it's been quieter than space round 'ere. 'Elfort's crap ta' talk to out in the field, and ya' know wha' those two gits are being like." The can sailed off into the trees.

"Hey – listen ta' this – what's-his-name – Harog," Sky continued, lowering his voice and leaning forwards. "Ah' think he's been cryin' fer the last half-hour! Ah' think e's tryin' na' keep a lid on it, but he's been goin' on and off sobbin' and tha'. Must be the other guy dyin', er...Argeh, wasn't it?"

I gave Sky a dubious look – not like he could see in the darkness. The stars were already coming out. Harog didn't seem like the type to cry – did he? In retrospect, I barely knew the quiet feral worlder.

"You sure, Sky?" I asked doubtfully. "Or is that just the beer speaking?"

"That ain't fair, bra. Ya' know 'ow hard it is fer me to git drunk these days." An slight edge of frustration crept into the Feckulian's voice.

I grinned. Back when we had first met, around seven months ago – Sky needed ten cans of his beer to get him drunk. Nowadays it was more like thirty, and he had to scull it madly to get his kicks. If he got distracted and had to stop he had to start all over again. Poor bastard.

"Shit!" I yelped, suddenly remembering my task. "The sarge is still waiting! Lemme get Helfort, or else my head's on the chopping block for sure!"

"Was wondering when you'd realise tha'." I could hear the smile in my friend's voice. I cursed him as I plunged into the undergrowth.

"Jyon! Get your arse here! Sarge needs you!" I half-shouted into the trees. I tried to keep my voice down, but it didn't work too well.

I only had the faintest rustle behind me to warn me before Jyon cheerily announced in my bad ear, "What is thy bidding, my friend?"

I whirled around, spooked. "Jovi damn, Jyon! Don't creep up on me like that – I could've shot you."

"My dear imbecile," the Hibernian grinned. "This blade of mine would have spitted thee thrice over if I willed it so."

"Yeah – well, don't," I repeated lamely. "Come on, sarge's head is probably fit to explode by now."

"What is mine task?" Helfort asked as we went up the slope.

"Since I'm taking this radio – sorry, vox up, sarge needs someone to warn the squad if Humphrey betrays us or something like that," I explained. "Oh, Humphrey's our contact's name. Humphrey Kotak. Don't be surprised if he hugs you. He did it to both of us, by Jovi! Jevarn let him get away with it, can you believe it?"

"Nay, thy mind is conjuring wildly," Jyon laughed. "The good sergeant's heart is forged of iron!"

"Well, it's true. So don't stab him when he does it to you," I joked. "We haven't got a proper word out of him yet, but he seems like a nice enough guy, for an offworlder."

"A great sin, for a man to speaketh in foreign tongues," he commented philosophically. We reached the doorway.

I tried giving him an accusing glare, but he didn't see it in the dark.

"Yeah," I said, opening the door. "You wait out here. Um, shoot your gun if we start yelling or if you hear gunfire. They'll be able to hear down there."

"Aye, Lister. I hear and obey." Jyon took position. "Good luck."

I grunted in reply as I squeezed through the doorway, careful not to let the radio bump into anything. The contraption was solid enough to put a dent in a tank.

As expected, Mr Kotak and Sergeant Jevarn were as I left them. The Targrenite was now cradling a steaming mug in his hands, now eyeing the towering Terran marine apprehensively. He had evidently noticed how large Jevarn actually was. Another mug sat ignored on the table. The sergeant's, probably.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong," Humphrey commented as I walked in. His smile seemed a little strained, but I smiled back anyway. The sergeant just glowered at me, all jaded impatience.

I set down the radio on the floor, easing out the handset. I turned it over in my hands for a moment. I had never used this bit of the vox set. In fact, only the sergeant had used it, when he was talking to the cruiser Moonsword in high orbit. I placed the handset on the long table, where it could easily catch all our voices. Hopefully it would translate both our languages, just as ALICE's creators had said.

But knowing the Mechanicus, the device would probably malfunction like a plasma gun.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong?" our contact asked. He watched on curiously.

As always, I had not a clue what he was saying, so I let off a burst of Russtek that I hoped meant 'Wait a sec!' but probably wasn't. I finished flipping on the switches. The machine hummed to life.

"Is the device functioning?" Jevarn asked.

"Testing! Testing! Hello there!" I enunciated loudly, in Anglish.

Nothing.

I bent down to fiddle with the knobs on the radio's top casing. I quickly realised my mistake. I turned the 'Channel' knob to '3', and the handset beeped.

"Hello there!" I said again. ALICE burst into a flurry of Russtek a moment later.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong!" Mr Kotak seemed a lot happier now with our translator, gladly saying 'hello' for the third time that night.

We paused, waiting for ALICE's translation back into Anglish. But the damn handset stayed silent! The sergeant and I hurriedly conferred as Mr Kotak fetched another mug for me.

"Emperor's royal arse, initiate!" Jevarn growled. He jabbed a gloved at ALICE's manual, which he had taken out. The marine bent down to adjust the radio. "You're supposed to do this..."

I took the proffered cup thankfully, feeling the heat even through the leather of my gloves. I set it down on the table, giving Humphrey one of Sky's double thumbs-ups.

I barely had time before something hard hit my head, sending me to the ground. I saw stars.

Ironically, that was when ALICE finally decided to translate Russtek back into Anglish.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong!" 'How dare you insult me, you – you weakling mongrel!'

The fat man's temples throbbed in apoplectic rage. Jevarn had one eyebrow quirked in astonished bemusement.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong! Ding ding ding ah dong dong!" 'I am no poorly endowed pansy! I am Mountain King! I have three wives, sired twenty-six legitimate children, countless illegitimate bastards and fifty cows! Do you hear me? My virility is beyond doubt! Male bears flee before my strength!'

I got to my feet, gaping in shock. Mr Kotak shoved his furious face into mine. I think I heard someone guffaw.

"Ding ding ding ah dong dong! Ding ding ding ah dong dong! Ding ding ding ah dong dong!" 'Turn around and bend over, and you will see what makes my cows and wives scream at night!'

Holy shit! He actually meant it!

His pudgy hands struggled to find purchase on my armour, but he tugged and pulled anyway. The guy was howling and roaring. Spit flew. The walls were shaking. His shirt went off. The earth quaked. The 'zip' of his fly was the last straw.

I was out the door in two seconds flat.

"Thy face is as white as linen," Jyon remarked, utterly bored. "Well sirrah? How dost thy 'Humphrey' fare?"

Gasping, I steadied myself against the wall.

"He-he's got a thing for me," I choked out. "Jovi help the sarge in there. We might need to Exterminatus this place if he doesn't come out alive."

Helfort didn't reply. He guessed he was as shocked as me.

I think we stayed like that for an hour.

…...

Things calmed down a bit after that. Jevarn come out a little more than an hour hence looking highly amused. It was one of the rare times I had seen him smile.

According to the sergeant, I had managed to call Mr Kotak a 'flaming pansy' by giving him the double thumbs up. I was still trying to work out how two thumbs up had anything to do with that sort of business. I was warned not to do it again, and ordered to tell Skylan that as well. Just as well, I supposed. I could just imagine the incorrigible Feckulian laughing at our Targrenite.

I sniggered at Jevarn's next warning.

'Do not handle your crotch while talking,' were his exact words. Somehow, I had used the wrong word for 'short' while I was adjusting my pants. To poor Humphrey, it looked like I was pointing at the nether regions and saying he was poorly endowed. To any self-respecting man, this was a clear challenge to his prowess, so I didn't hold it against him. Though having a cup throw at your head still hurt though...

Sergeant Jevarn was surprisingly forgiving about my poor skills with Russtek, in fact he didn't even mention it. Yelling at me over that would have been hypocritical, so I think he decided to let it go. Thank Jovi for that.

We took our dinner in shifts, with Jyon, Harog and I taking the first meal; while Sky was left to lord over Sernax and Mogas. Mr Kotak did eye me beadily at first, but he warmed considerably as he saw me cramming my mouth with the stew he made for us. Along with the spicy bread on the table, that was one of the best meals I ever had. The exotic off-world flavours almost made me forget we were fighting a war, for a moment.

I took the chance to peek surreptitiously at the silent Harog, who was sitting by himself further down the long table. The feral worlder had a swarthy face, sunken cheeks and a very hooked nose. The image of a starved carrion bird rose unbidden in my mind. As I took a closer look, I realised Sky was right! The fellow's eyes were red and puffy. It was almost certain he had been crying. Bloody hell!

"You alright?" I asked, on impulse.

Harog's only reaction was to sink his chin even lower. Any lower and it'd scrape the stone flags below!

Dinner ended abruptly, with the sergeant bursting in and ordering us out to the woods. I groaned, but the marine paid me no heed. In a flash we were out into the night.

"The stars are changed," Jyon commented, studying the unfamiliar night sky. We were walking down the slope, the still-silent Harog trailing a little behind.

I glanced up, not recognising any of the constellations.

"We're in a different place, that's why – that's what I reckon," I added hastily. "I'm sure someone smart like Sernax can explain it to you."

"So far, are we, like ants swept across some great sea to unfamiliar shores," he sighed. "Is it not a wondrous thought?"

"I suppose," I admitted reluctantly. "Though I suddenly feel kinda small."

"A great shame, methinks, that these men have found not the humility to bow to the Emperor. He is good to his subjects."

"Is that so?" I asked.

"Yes! Great beasts laden with food, coming down every day!" he enthusiastically affirmed.

"Hmm," I mused vaguely.

To me, the Emperor's Imperium was two sides of one coin, just like the double heads of the Aquila. One hooded, and the other glaring fiercely at its enemies. Its official meaning symbolised the union Old Earth and Mars at the formation of today's interstellar Imperium, some thirty years ago. But to me, the two heads were like the freakish Navigators the Imperium was founded on. The hooded one, docile and peaceful – that was what the Emperor was like to compliant worlds like Hibernia; an open hand of peace.

Then there was the unblinkered eagle. That was the Legionnes Astartes and the Imperial Army, bringing bloody ruin to non-complaint worlds just as a Navigator's dreaded eye of terror brought hell and damnation to any caught in its gaze.

"Food!" Sky whooped gleefully, as I told him the sergeant's orders. "Beautiful food!"

He raced up the hill, ignoring Mogas' enraged protest to 'Get back down here, we need to get Yumec up!'

"Skylan – urgh..." Sernax muttered. "Get back here!"

His lone figure turned around on the slope. I saw Sky's fist in the air, as if he were leading a charge.

"Eat fer the living! Eat fer the dead!" he yelled, mocking the Legion's warcry. "Um...eat – fer the Emperor!"

With that settled, he plunged into the front door. He didn't come out, so Sernax and Mogas had to drag Yumec and Argeh's body up themselves. Harog got the heavy bolter. I walked a little way out from his position, searching for Targrenites. Jyon did likewise, except on the opposite side. The night was cold and silent, but there was fire in my belly now. Dark boughs rustled and groaned overhead.

I think we were down there for two hours or so, while the three up the top finished their meal. Jevarn came down once to check on how things were going. A while after he left, I heard a suspicious rustle in the bushes.

Shit!

My rifle immediately snapped up. I felt giddy and elated, like someone had thrown a switch in me. In truth, I was relieved. In the dark my mind couldn't help but conjure up endless monsters that were coming to get me. Now there was something tangible to fight!

I slowly ducked low behind a fallen log, knowing that any quick movements would catch my foe's eyes. Hearts hammering, I reached for the vox.

It wasn't there.

Jovi damn – it was still up at the house! I knew what I had to do.

I began a painstaking crawl back towards Harog's position. In my mind, every move I made was as loud as a thousand bolters going off, right in my ear. I began cursing myself.

Put your foot there, damn you! No – no – don't step on that leaf, you dummart!

A feral growl was all the warning I got. In a flash of red I was tackled, rifle spinning off in this undergrowth.

Jovi damn! That hurt!

The breath was knocked out of me as I was slammed into the ground. I gasped, as my enemy crashed into me again, knives scraping cruelly against my armour vest.

Wait – knives? Who the hell would wield two knives like that?

I punched the furry mass on top of me. It stank to high Elysia – this thing wasn't human! It squealed and leapt off me.

I scrambled to my feet, searching for my lost rifle in the gloom. I couldn't damn find it!

The forest went quiet. Where was my foe? Was this some alien? Some breed of filthy xenoform? Here to eat me, or worse?

I shuddered, unsheathing the knife at my belt. By Jovi, I'd make sure this meal didn't go down well.

The thing attacked again, a dim blur of muscle and fur. This time I could see it. I stabbed at it once as it cannoned into me, knocking the blade from my grasp. We struggled fitfully.

It panted and slavered, drooling onto my vest. I looked into its beady eyes, daring it to try harder. It obliged, the tusks around its snout ever worrying at my ceramite armour.

Tusks? Snout? I nearly laughed. Tusks and a snout – this thing was actually some kind of pig!

With a snarl I gripped the bony protrusions. It squealed in protest. I heaved. The pig flew!

The furry animal bounced hard against a tree. Thrashing wildly, it dived into the undergrowth, finally cowed.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I hadn't been actually scared – of course, but its breath had been horrid.

"Solas! Solas! Pray all goes well?" cried an alarmed Helfort. "Thy head remains in its ordained place?"

"My head's fine," I called back cheerfully. "Some pig took exception to me."

"Where is this boar then?" The Hibernian jumped out from a bush.

"Threw it away."

We paused for a moment, then started laughing at the absurdity of my statement.

"Would have made good eating," Helfort regretfully said, after a while.

"Gah, buddy, its breath stank like a cesspit," I protested. "Besides, our friend Humphrey cooked a good enough meal, eh?"

"Aye, that he did," Jyon agreed. "Shall we offer him a berth in the fleet?"

"P'raps not. Don't think he'd want to join us. Though he'd put the fleet cooks to shame."

Apart from a few pills and tablets given to us by the sergeant, we were free to eat whatever we pleased. We organised meals by ourselves when we were shipborne, going to the different crew mess halls scattered onboard the Armageddon Knight. I tried to avoid the one where we had that tussle with the serfs, but I knew Sky sometimes went there when he was looking to blow off some steam. The mess halls varied wildly, some choked in cigarette smoke, others scrubbed down to bare metal. But one thing remained constant – the cooking. I has a theory that the cooking pots were connected to the sewage pipes, but never bothered to check. It was just that shockingly bad.

"A pity. Do not be so surprised that our 'cooks' are truly turncoats seeking to poison us," Helfort said dryly.

"Well Jyon, I won't be –"

I quickly stopped myself before I said 'I won't be coming back.'

Dammit Lister! I winced.

"What ails thee?"

"Eh? Nothing – nothing." I waved my arms vaguely.

"Very well," he said. "Thy humours seem imbalanced."

"Um..." I didn't understand.

"Mayhap an excess of choler? I am no physick, but I can bleed thou, if that is thy will," he suggested.

"Bleed me? You mean blood coming out?" I exclaimed, horrified.

I couldn't see his face in the gloom, but I think he looked confused.

"Yes, that was my intent."

"Jyon, er..."

"Hmm. But that would cause thee to be less sanguine, and there is little enough joy in this place already," he decided.

"Coo – ee!" The eerie bird's cry echoed down the slope.

Our heads snapped round. That was the signal to turn-in. Skylan, Mogas and Sernax would be coming down the hill even now.

"Wonder what's happening now?" I wondered out loud.

"We sleep," Helfort said.

"Sounds like a good idea, buddy," I replied gladly. I hadn't slept for over a day.

"Gah, bloody 'ell, yer actually right fer once!" Sky's voice suddenly floated over to us. "Ain't fair, that's what."

His dark form strode towards us, shotgun cradled. His posture looked decidedly unhappy.

"We git first shift, dammit. Bah Toorett, stuck with these gits..." Out came another can. The seal cracked as Sky tugged at it. His head turned to glare at us. "Well? What yer waitin' fer? Git sleepin'!"

We beat it out of there, not at all unhappy at our fortune. I mumbled a guilty 'Good night' to Sky as I left.

…...

Sergeant Jevarn was waiting for us at the front door. His looming form beckoned, and we followed him to a small barn a distance away from the house. I hadn't noticed it before, probably because it had been over the crest when we first approached.

He swung the barn doors out effortlessly. The place had been cleaned out by a thoughtful Mr Kotak in preparation for our arrival. A small lantern hung from the rafters, lit.

"Initiates, you'll quarter here for the night. At 0400 hours you will go down and relieve the other three. You will do this yourselves, or else I will come here for you, and you will have the pleasure of spending the next five nights on back-to-back night guard duty. Understood?"

Already sleepy, we chimed out a childish, "Yes sergeant."

"Good. Now I have better news; something that ought to excite you more than perimeter security..."

I yawned.

"The battle barge Light of Ganymede has arrived in orbit, joining strike cruiser Moonsword on the void-side of this planet's moon." A big grin split the sergeant's features. "It might not be our Armageddon Knight and the 17th Company, but it's fellow Luna Wolves alright! I recall this particular vessel belonged to the 9th Company, under the guidance of Brother-Captain Varaladdon."

Helfort was grinning by now. I just eyed a comfy-looking haystack, oblivious to all else.

"This one's a purely Cthonian company, one of Lord Horus' 'experiments' on the relationship between planetary origin and soldiering, I'm led to believe."

Helfort put up a hand. "Pray tell, good sergeant, of the dispositions of our Cthonian comrades."

"A rough, uncouth but honourable lot, from experience. Though there are a few bad apples around, just like anywhere else," Jevarn answered patiently. "You'll see soon enough for yourselves."

I suddenly paid attention, looking up.

"Captain Varaladdon is stealth-landing four squads of aspirants and supplies here tomorrow at dawn, just before the sun rises. A test for them. Consider them Imperial Army soldiers, if you will. Those who live become initiates."

Tough love in a tough galaxy, I suppose.

"It has come to my attention that some of Cthonian descent show some...hubristic behaviour when it comes to place of origin. Colonials you may be, but you are initiates of the 16th Legion. You possess Lord Horus' geneseed, they do not. Remember that when some of these little boys boast to you of being born on the commander's homeworld. You are far closer to the primarch than they will ever be, if they continue along that vein. Punish them if it is fitting, otherwise refer the issue to me."

'Colonial' was a term used to describe someone born on a planet more than fifty light years from Old Earth. People born closer to the mother-world were referred to as 'home-worlders' – like Cthonians. Both groups of humans liked to accuse each other of being either 'mutants' or 'inbreds', but most of that wasn't true. It was all friendly rivalry, I reckon.

I shuddered to think of what these aspirants would be like. I hoped they weren't like the kids in the propaganda viewcasts, all gung-ho and spouting 'For the Emperor' every few seconds. And I hoped they weren't ten or some other horrendous age, where those annoying little bastards still felt like they needed something to prove. Sadly, they probably were. Aspirants were selected at a very young age, so I heard. It was easier to educate them and teach them the prescribed values of the Imperium. More like brainwash them!

"No questions?" Jevarn asked from a great distance.

I lurched towards the haystack, yawning fit to burst.

It seemed...

So far...

Away...

See you later! Updated Chapter 2 is up, No. 3 is next!