A Guardsman's Purpose
Part 2
Captain Farlo was beside himself. This was a disaster, and his very life was on the line. He had commanded this vessel for nearly four hundred years, continuing his family's legacy as heralds of the Emperors Might. He was supposed to ship soldiers, trained and prepared en-mass to those worlds in need of support. This was his holy, sacred duty. But somehow, in the logistical behemoth that was the very nature of commanding such an enterprising task, something went wrong. After all this time, he had managed to maintain every flaw and every problem to as small as possible. There had been rough patches in the past, but now… his current situation was very different.
Farlo sat in his office, deep within the very center of his mighty vessel. Alone, and in complete despair as he looked at the screens atop his desk. Nothing more than numbers displayed to him, but, that wasn't quite fair. Numbers meant everything in the Imperium. Numbers determined the fates of entire worlds, of entire sectors. Numbers determined who starved and who ate. Numbers determined the amount of soldiers required to win victory against the enemy in war. How much ammunition was supplied, what resources got where, numbers were everything. Without the proper logistics, there was no Imperium. He had always had it under upmost scrutiny before. He had always managed the hiccups in the system, but there was no way to fix this. This nightmare. How had it all started? How did it come to this? He could only think back on it now.
Farlo sat back into his chair as he continued to stare at the screen. He remembered how in his shame, he didn't wanted to leave his quarters since the moment he received that report. All it had taken was a single screw up and now his legacy was on the very brink of extinction. He was in a long line of captains that governed this ship. The Maw, those unworthy cretans called it. No it was the 'Emperors Holy Deliverance'! That was its true name and it did not deserve to be mocked by the filth he currently ferried. Its mission was a holy one that it had accomplished for eons, picking up the tithes of soldiers in times of need to be delivered to important battlefields all throughout the Imperium. He personally had seen the deliverance of Imperial Guard to entire sectors that turned the tide and brought victory to the Imperium. His career was spotless, spotless. That is, until he was assigned to this wretched sector of space called the Frontier.
This was farther from the heart of the Imperium than he had ever gone. It was to 'reinforce' the local systems with the support of a transport vessel to ferry troops. Bah! This sector of space was unworthy of his attention, for it was ever expanding, and far away from the true threats of the Imperium. But as a faithful Captain, he complied, he listened to the administorum when its orders were brought to him and he came. He arrived to a hive world designated for the tithe of readily trained Imperial Guard, picked them up and set out towards their destined battlefield. Upon arrival everything went as it should have, the Imperial Guard was deployed, the world was cleansed of the traitors and his mission was complete. Then everything went wrong. The planetary governor damn his soul, whether through incompetence or treason, logged the incorrect amount of supplies to be awarded to his ship for its service. It was an agri-world of course, one which had plenty of resources left from the fighting to fully stock his ship with everything it needed. But that one screw up, that single number ruined everything. The improper amount of food, water and other critical resources were loaded, the rest of the crates filled with useless junk. The logistics and reports would take at least a single period of thirty Terran days to be completed, and he had to quickly leave for the next mission. He still remembered that moment of realization, the moment of horror when he received the report. He sat in his office as he was now, and was waiting for communications from his commanding officers to deploy him on his next delivery. He could not believe it at first, he demanded that a recount be made, but then he received other reports. Not enough food was distributed to the crew, let alone those members of the guard which remained aboard his ship. Something like this was unprecedented. It was unheard of. It was unacceptable! Unfortunately for him, he had no time to rectify this terrible mistake. Through cruel circumstance, he received a communication from his superiors.
'Captain Fargo, we have need of your assistance. It is of great importance that you receive the tithe from the indicated Hive worlds within Sector Sola XII, and deliver the troops ready and trained to the Hive world of Dionysus in the nearby sector. A trip that will last several years at the minimum if you are to arrive on time to support them. Is there any reason you cannot comply with these orders?'
Fargo remembered those exact words, to this day. The bio-enhancements he had attached to himself throughout the years made it difficult to forget. Ah! His pride did not allow him to deny the request. And one did not… no, could not, deny the orders of the administorum. Such oversights as the food and water shortage which plagued his ship was enough to deem him unfit for service and disposed of, his title, his legacy and his ship forever removed from the records. It would be seen as nothing more than incompetence of the highest order. He could not allow it, and so he answered them with confidence that his orders were received. He would do his task. He would do it! And so it was that he restricted the food to all guardsman, rationed it amongst his crew and carefully mandated the water. There could be no mistakes, else his ship end up a ruin adrift in space that only housed the starved dead. It was difficult, and several mutinies had to be quelled, but they arrived to every hive world that was designated, picked up the troops provided for the tithe, all of the appropriate type to become soldiers, fit for the ranks of Imperial Regiments. He was also fortunate to pick up a contingent of true Imperial Guard Commanders and the Lord Commissar that commanded them, Lord Farune.
With every world his ship stopped at, he tried to procure resources, demanded that the planetary governors provide him that which was necessary for his ship to continue its holy duty. Yet, it seemed, the worlds of the Frontier had a difficult time supplying their own Hive worlds with resources as it was. There were very few true agri-worlds, the Frontier so spread out and dominated by colonies which themselves required more resources. With enough time, some of those Colonies would become Agri-Worlds, but that time was still far in the distance. He received little to no aid in the end, and the Lord Commissar took notice quite quickly.
Farlos rank was superior that of the Lord Commissar of courses far as he saw it. But he knew that the Lord Commissar would serve as a better ally than enemy. So he let it happen, when Lord Farune barged into his office, despite Farlos own guards attempts to dissuade him, and demanded to know why the proper rations had not been supplied to his men. What could Farlo do but admit the horrible truth? And so he did, and praise be to the Emperor, Lord Farune understood his plight. From then on, Farune worked closely with him, and the journey to the world designated for their troops was made. All was done in an effort to maintain order and proper functions of the ship, and with Farune supporting him, the guardsmen fell in line. As many mouths as possible were removed, those who were too weak or proved problematic killed to make the resources last. Then upon arrival, they came to their designated battlefield. A Hive world overrun with traitors who sought to break away from the Imperium.
Due to the drastic measures which had been forced upon him, only two thirds of the requested Guard were deployed. But it didn't matter, such was still enough to ascertain victory for the Imperium as the planetary governor had a respectable PDF force. Everything seemed to go well and according to his hopes. The battle was won, and due to the mass loss of life upon the world resources were suddenly plentiful. He had a contingent of those Imperial Guard, under the command of Lord Farune 'secure' enough resources to last at least another hundred years for the entire ship; crew and all future guard included. It would certainly put a strain on the world when they left, he knew, but a world on the fringe of the Imperium did not matter in comparison to one of the sacred troop transportation ships that supplied the Imperium as a whole.
Fate had different plans. Luckily, Lord Farune and a contingent of his officers and two divisions of his Imperial Guard managed to return with the first batch of supplies. Enough food and water to maintain the whole of the crew from an extended time of at least five to seven years. These numbers triple checked by those voidsmen he assigned to the task, for the absolute accuracy he required. Then it happened, just before Farune and his men were to be deployed again to receive the second batch of supplies. The cowards, those few traitors left on world detonated massive nuclear warheads that were hidden throughout the hives, unwilling to give the world back to the righteous and faithful. The world was shattered within moments, broken into pieces and all resources possible to be taken irradiated and useless. He would have cared little however, willing to go secure the rest from another world now that he had enough to supply his crew, even if it was for a short time. If it wasn't for his superiors, whose orders decided to once again reach him in the worst of times. It was not as formal as the time before, and the urgency was rigid and quickly demanded that he swiftly complete his next set of orders. To secure troops from the designated worlds of the LunaV sector; proper guardsman from the regiment called the Silver Guard.
Problem was, his ship would not reliably arrive to the worlds to receive the guard, given the unbridled nature of the warp. His ship was at the far end of its current sector, and the trip to pick up the tithes would last longer than he could reasonably supply his crew. The world which was designated for him to deliver e Guard to called Sola IV, an Agri-world that surely had enough food to supply his ship. As it was, he was closer to that world than the tithe worlds his superiors demanded he collect from. However, he could not simply arrive without the Imperial Guard that were promised. His pride, would not allow it, he could not defame his legacy in that way. Is was a sacred mission, and he would do what was expected of him. Without thought, he again accepted his orders without question.
It was then, that he convened with Lord Farune, pleaded with him to help him with this plight. From that conversation sparked a wild and unfortunate plan, a necessary evil. They were within the vicinity of several colony worlds, trips that would hopefully last less than a Terran year between them provided the warp was willing. There they would acquire the necessary soldiers and then deliver them to their destination. Lord Farune promised him, they would become proper guardsmen through the training of himself and his commanders. Members of the crew too would serve as drill sergeants if it was required. Ultimately the bodies they collected would be fit to fight upon arrival. Then they would receive the resources deserved of them when the battle was won, and thus end this nightmare. It was a foolish plan, liable to end in his death, but it was the only one he could do and still fulfill his duty. The administratum would never need find out, and he could see in Lord Farune a deep desire to mold imperial soldiers of his own. Those guard still on the ship were drilled mercilessly by him and his commanders, compliant and full members of the Guard. It was a dark deal, a foolish one perhaps, but Farlo agreed to it and so it began.
The first world they visited was a storage world, one which housed weapons, armors, ammunition and vehicles for Imperial forces. It's had little other use, and its industrial capacity was all but minimum. It depended solely upon the support of nearby worlds which it supplied with its wartime supplies for resources. Farlo met with the Planetary Governor who conceded to his plan, though refused to allow his PDF to be drafted. No, he would only hand over the excess citizenry which began to outgrow their worlds own supply. They would additionally provide all the weapons and munitions necessary, but he wanted to keep all the PDF forces on world as he was paranoid of rebellion just as many worlds of the Frontier were. Farlo could not overstep, and so took the near worthless workers aboard his ship, all under the guise of the Imperiums tithe. Lord Farune assured him, assured him, they would be transformed into proper guardsman, all of them fully equipped and ready for battle when they arrived. He watched the procession board his vessel, and he doubted, but it was too late to provide opposition. He worried of rebellion aboard his own ship from these mere citizens turned guard, of the poor quality they would no doubt be as soldiers.
Lord Farune assured him otherwise. No, he would control everything. He made it clear, with Farlos help, to all the budding guardsmen that this was normal. Though it was a lie, they told them their world payed a tithe every thousand years of soldiers, this was their purpose and their destiny. Farunes commanders drilled this into them, made their reality as guardsmen normal and real, so that they would acknowledge that they were to become true Guardsmen. They were nothing else, and they belonged to the Emperor now. But they were still mere warehouse workers in Farlos eyes. He was disgusted with this sham, but it was one he could do not, but help facilitate. It worked enough, and he saw how much pleasure Lord Farune derived from it all, breaking the will of the citizens as he molded them into the Guards service. The lack of food used against them as a tool to break y will they had. But it was all in service of a greater good, to fulfill his family legacy and deliver the soldiers requested by a world in need. His crew sanctioned off from those sectors aboard his ship filled with the new guardsmen, all in an effort to maintain the illusion.
This continued of course for several more colony worlds, several of which were slightly more industrial and the others mere settlements. They were all hesitant to give over any PDF forces or resources, but Farlo nearly convinced them. He would have, had it not been for the intervention of Lord Farune, who seemed to take more authority than was provided to him. He denied accepting PDF soldiers, and severely limited he supplies Farlo could squeeze out of them. The planetary governors were all terrified at the prospect of the Imperial tithe on their worlds, and Farlo sought to take advantage of that. But no, Farune intervened every time.
He only wanted as many citizens as was possible to mold into his own regiment from the worlds, with war specific resources the majority of anything procured. Such foolishness! Farlo had of course taken on many, many Imperial citizens as Imperial Guard before, but they were always from proper tithe worlds. And regardless, what really mattered to Farlo was the quality of Guardsman his ship procured and delivered. Why take the citizenry who had no experience, when there were those much more ready, far more fit to become guardsmen? It was a dishonor to his ship and to his legacy to not even attempt to take on decent stock. And to demand that only men be taken… they could have already met their quota by now. Farlo could not understand the logic that ran through Farunes head. When asked, he would only say it was because they were 'fresh minds to be broken and remade by scratch'. And so it was, that they were given lower, and lower quality bodies with every world, mere Imperial citizens, in large numbers yes, but not a soldier among them. No gangers, no rabid savages, no PDF, nothing of the sort which would translate to such honored service. They took nothing but excess factory workers, warehouse workers, criminals, homeless, and settlers. While it may have been beneficial to the worlds they took from, it only brought his ship closer to death. It brought tears to Farlo's eyes to see such a miserable sight as they were brought aboard, how far he had dropped to accomplish his task.
Yet he gave it a pass. He had convinced himself that Farune knew what he was doing. He had gone through the trainings of a schola after all. He was a Lord Commissar of the Emperors legions, who gave himself all to the cause. Farlo was a fool to convince himself that nothing was wrong. He should have put an end to it, intervened sooner, but he did not. No, he knew that he was past the point of no return about a Terran Month ago, when they had come across a reconnaissance vessel from the Faceless Legion, a true regiment of Imperial Guard that existed within the Frontier, which had entire worlds dedicated to the production of soldiers. Farlo was ecstatic to have come across them, hopeful that something good would result of the chance meeting. A chance he felt was the Emperors very attempt at providing him repentance. He and Farune invited them aboard, and at first things went well. Farune was just as happy to see them, but as soon as he suggested that they helped run training drills aboard the ship against the guardsmen in training… things went terribly wrong. Farunes 'guardsman' barely held up against the trained accuracy and might of the Faceless Legions basic soldiers, nearly 8 out of every 10 exercises resulted in the loss of Farunes men. He could not handle the disgrace, for it proved what Farlo already knew-they were not the most quality soldiers, and they could only hope to be but mere cannon fodder. So Farune ran the Faceless Legion away, sent them off and rebuked their active commander. Farlo tried to desperately intervene, but Farune threatened to expose him for taking on citizens instead of the requested tithes. So he had to quietly watch as the Faceless Legions ship left, off into the Warp.
Farune was out of control, and seemed to believe himself on par with the Inquisition in his demands and authority. But Farlo could do little, for he needed Farune and worst of all, was his accomplice in this farce. He had gone too far to stop now, and Farune only seemed to act more brazenly as time progressed. A madness had overtaken him, and he could no longer reign him in as a subordinate. Farlo stopped checking on the progress of the new guardsmen, long after he watched the horrid treatment and brutal process not befit those of the Imperial Aquila. They would be ready to fight, though how effective he was not sure, and they barely met basic health standards. Given how they fared in the exercises against the Faceless Legion… it would not end well. All he needed was for them to be delivered and for his ship to be restocked in full. He banked upon it with all his soul. Of course, then today had come when they had finally arrived. The day that everything came to a final, climactic head. Judgment surely, by the ever watching Emperor on his holy throne.
Farlo turned off the screens in front of him as he gazed to his right at the main console. The one from which he could view the outside of the ship. There was the planet he had bet everything on. There was the agri-world whose plea for help that he had responded to. It was nothing but rubble now, chunks of frozen rock set adrift throughout space. The cosmic dust laced in rings that stayed stagnant and still, as if nothing affected them. As if they had not once been part of an entire world, a world which could have solved all of Farlos problems. Destroyed by order of the Inquisition, by order of exterminatus. He had gambled everything on getting to this world; everything. Despite his better judgments he allowed Farune to do as he pleased, and take the lowest quality bodies he could, trained a mediocre stock of soldiers and drained his ship of resources to fulfill his delivery on time, rather than risk receiving actual soldiers from the tithe worlds he was originally assigned. Perhaps, he began to feel, that it would have been better lest they attempted their original task and died, then go through this…
Farlo leaned back into his seat as he rubbed his temples. Farune would return to his office soon, having gone off to 'appease the troops', the half-starved bastards. His ship was a fading clock, barely managing to tick through every moment it had. They would not have enough resources forever… if it came to it, he would have his own voidsmen 'cleanse' his ship of the filth that swamped it. The Imperial Guard currently aboard his ship, the 'regiment' of Farunes creation, was not up to Farlos standards. They were still however, trained and well enough to serve as a capable fighting force. They would have at least sufficed for any planetary operation, had there been a planet when they arrived. He had seen many Imperial Guardsman forged from the Imperial citizenry aboard his vessel, many he was proud to have delivered. These… vermin… were not. They were starved, barely kept alive and trained to excess as if his ship was a Schola. If they had all of the proper resources aside from lasguns and armaments, certainly, they could have been much more acceptable. But as it stood, they were but starving beasts with weapons that only needed a single spark to incite mutiny. And if food ran out, there was no doubt in his mind that is what would happen. Farune trained them improperly, and without the care required to forge a hammer fit for the Emperor to swing against his enemies.
He sat up onto his chair as he heard he familiar slide of his door open. He clenched his hands together as he laid his chin over them, and watched with rage at the man who walked into his office.
"So, have you appeased your 'guardsmen'?"
Farune held onto the tip of his hat as he pulled it down. Though he didn't remove that blasted grin from his face. He was as confident as ever.
"My guardsman will not cause problems. I assure you of that, Captain Farlo. They are more then trained enough to know their place. Besides, we would not need to appease them had you not made a simple, logistical oversight. Isn't that right? If my men were well fed, perhaps they would show more improvement."
Farlo slammed his hand onto his desk as he stood up. This was enough!
"Do not try and throw such things at me. I understand fully well what I had failed to do. But your starving beasts barely stand cohesive enough as it is. Yet you train them as if you intend to kill them before they can be of proper use. They are but Imperial citizens wearing the uniforms of Imperial Guard! Can you truly keep them under control if we run out of resources? I barely have enough to maintain my crew. Not that you would feed your own soldiers, would you? I see how you taunt them with it, use it as a weapon. You are supposed to train Imperial Guard dammit! Make soldiers worthy of the Emperors grace! If you had not insisted that we only take the Imperial Citizenry, who take considerably longer to train under normal circumstances, and only men, we could have arrived sooner with more ready troops and be out of this mess!"
Farune laughed as he let go of his hat and knocked it off of his head. He revealed his sagging eyes, the dark circles beneath them showing just how tired he was. His hair a complete mess, oily and unkempt.
"I secured us vehicles, I secured us weapons, I secured us armor, and I secured enough soldiers to use all of them. Having done this as long as you have, I am certain you have seen many Imperial Guardsman formed from the citizenry, haven't you? And your services are only required in dire times of need, so when the call was made, you responded despite not having the ability to do it the way you wanted. I saved your sorry ass! I did what was necessary to procure enough soldiers and still arrive timely. I chose Imperial citizens because they are the easiest to mold, because they can be broken and accept the pathetic rations your ship is currently able to sustain. I only took men because we cannot handle more mouths being produced, can we? And what would have happened, Farlo, had we taken on the PDF from various worlds? Invited those members of the Faceless Legion to join us? People whose wills have already been tempered and who know how to fight? Would they have stood for the harsh rations and resource shortages? Or would they have mutinied sooner? They are already set in their ways, my guardsmen were molded to become what we needed them to be, obedient and under our command."
Farlo was at a loss for words. He had not considered that notion before…
"Perhaps. But still…"
Farune had nearly lost his patience.
"I understand, Farlo that you pride yourself on the quality of soldiers that this ship has always served to deliver. But this is reality. Soldiers on par with true Imperial Regiments like the Faceless Legion are far and between. They are harder to handle than starting from scratch. Sometimes, we have to make do with what we can. We took the excess from colony worlds, stockpile worlds, and even from struggling settlements. Citizens who should feel honored to become soldiers of the Imperial Guard, of the Emperor. They are easy to mold, to have any culture and preexisting temperaments rid of that they become a single unit under one banner. With the right words and pushes, they will become the most loyal as they can have their sensibilities crushed and remade again, any problematic tendencies hammered out. That is what I have done to ensure that this ship continued to serve the Imperium. Are they up to standard? No. Painfully, I admit this. But they will fight and die for the Emperor, make no mistake about that. They are still a force capable of fighting effectively enough. We are all servants of the Emperor first and foremost, do not forget that Captain. We were called to deliver Guardsman, and we did what was necessary to ensure that delivery happened."
Farlo looked back again to the image of the destroyed world outside. Perhaps this had taken its toll on him and his judgements. The stress had gotten to him and muddied his reason. Perhaps… no. This changed little. There was little use in argument now. What was it that they were going to do?
"The world we came to deliver to, is destroyed. By will of the Emperor, it was. And here we are, on a dying ship. What more can we do?"
Farune sighed as he swayed to the side.
"My Guardsmen were told repeatedly that their worlds held tithes every thousand years. Such is simply not true nor logistical, especially for colony and stockpile worlds. They can hardly sustain themselves let alone supply enough soldiers for war. But, my Guardsmen have normalized it, taken their role as Guardsmen as truth. They are convinced that their worlds gave them up purely because it is the order of the Imperium, and that this life is all they have. To listen to orders and be obedient soldiers. Do you know why?"
Farlo only shook his head, half interested in what Farune rambled about. Farune didn't seem to mind as he continued as enthused as he was before.
"I have made a regiment of guardsmen willing to die. All guardsmen must accept that they are all but destined to die on the battlefield, but mine are willing to accept death on principle for they don't belong to themselves, to their home worlds, to their culture, they belong to the Imperium. To you and me, as their superior officers. They do not have their lives for their own, their lives are purely for the Emperor now. If we must, I will have them culled to acceptable levels until we can find what we must do. I am sure many of them would even welcome death as a sweet release into the Emperors arms. Just give the word, Captain. Have faith in the Emperor and he will provide."
Farlo had to think the preposition over as he continued to look at the main console. When he had made his mind he turned to face Farune and give his answer. Fate would not have it however, as he received a sudden Vox communications from his communications officer. It seemed the branch in the administorum which presided over him had requested yet again, further orders to be comple.
"Captain Farlo, we have received this transmission, though we are unsure how long ago it was sent. I'll have it playing now…"
After several static filled moments of silence, the message finally played.
We apologize for the many orders you have been given, but understand that the Frontier is a place severely lacking in the resources required to maintain its growth. Transportation vessels such as yours included. By the time this has reached you we fully expect that the situation on SolaIV will have been dealt with. As we are lacking in available ships, there is an anomaly in the nearby sector that needs to be investigated. It seems that an Imperial Vox station has gone silent in the area. Find and discover why they have stopped receiving our signals. If any signs of rebellion have taken root, eliminate them all. Here are…"
Farlo could hardly believe it. Yes… truly, the Emperor presided over them. This was their second chance.
Argus woke up to the sound of clanging on pipes. He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, but it had been a while. The rumbling in his stomach urged him to stand and seek out food. While his spirit withered away, it seemed his body refused to die. He pushed himself from the ground and stood up. Shakily his legs kept him standing as vertigo shook his vision for a few moments. When everything settled down he grabbed his gear, his Flak vest and the lasgun from where he left them. His helmet squeezed back onto his head and clipped into place with the straps under his chin. Carefully he made his way out of his sanctum and back into the dark confines of the ship. He trudged on as he always did and found himself back into the main hallway. But something was different this time, as he saw many of his fellows running along in orderly fashion. It was full of activity as his fellow guardsmen came and went, to and fro. Without notice he was pulled aside by the firm grip of his commander, Augustus, who dragged him to the side.
"There you are! Damn it Guardsman! You are lucky I found you before I had to really start looking. Your time of service is nearly here. Follow me and help me find the rest of the squad."
Time of service? Argus could hardly believe his ears. So, they truly were going to fight? Was… was the world being destroyed but a fantasy made up in his sleep? He-he couldn't keep his commander waiting for an answer.
"Y-Yes sir."
His commander peered at him with a deathly glare as he looked him over. From his boots to his helmet, nothing was un-scrutinized. Argus didn't know what to expect, but he stood as tall as he could. To his surprise the moment passed and his commander looked away.
"Well come along then guardsman."
Argus couldn't help but blurt out a question before his commander started walking, despite knowing full and well the consequences of speaking out of turn. His curiosity about what was going on only bugged him too greatly.
"Where are we headed… sir?"
His commander didn't seem to take notice as he continued to look away. He took several steps and instinctively Argus followed behind him. It was natural to him to do so, after all the hellish training he had undergone. He could hardly resist the urge to follow even the simplest of gestures made by his commander. He remembered that first week well, when he and the others who were in his squad were forced to starve if they didn't obey every command, follow the commander everywhere and guess what he wanted of them. Needless to say, Argus was compelled now, a nervous tick in his brain forcing him into compliance. He knew better than to resist, after all the consequences of disobedience he witnessed, that they all did, and soon it was natural. Despite the torment that Argus felt with every passing moment in the man's presence.
Again to his surprise, his commander answered him. More than that, he seemed enthusiastic about it.
"I see you have finally taken interest, Argus, in your duty. The world we were set to save may have been judged before we arrived, but by the Emperors grace we have been assigned a new deployment to recover a strategic asset. A Vox station in the nearby sector. Do not worry, your time to serve is at hand."
With that nothing else was said and the two walked along the ever filling halls of guardsmen as they made their way towards one of the ships many docking bays. Along the way the other members of his squad gathered up without word as they saw their commander. Eventually all ten of them were assembled, their lasguns held fast in their hands as they pressed forward. When they finally arrived into the docking area, they found themselves quickly moved towards one of the small transport ships on board. Large and box-like, they didn't seem fit to carry soldiers but cargo.
There however, came the biggest surprise of all. Argus commander had them all stand just before the doors to the transport as strange men in white robes started to pour in from somewhere. They carried small bags, with something inside that seemed to ignite his senses. At the tail end of the procession was the commissar, still as tall and proud as Argus remembered. The man stood in the center of the group and then spoke as floating skulls carrying speakers began to slither along the ground.
"Hello my guardsman, it is finally time to show that you are truly worthy of the Emperors service. It has been difficult, but you have been forged into Imperial Guardsmen. We are in the vicinity of a Vox station of vital importance to the Imperium. I am sure you have all been anxious to serve, and so it is that you will get your chance. Do not waste your lives foolishly, die with purpose and with progress. I know that food has been an issue aboard this ship, but trust me, if you prove yourselves here there will be plenty to eat. Our dear captain has found it fit to supply all of you with a proper meal, to strengthen you for the task ahead, and to reward you for your diligent patience. So please, eat and enjoy. Know that those who survive and those who succeed in this mission will never have to starve again."
At the very moment his speech ended, the men in white robes rushed to every transport and every group of guardsman assembled. As they came up to Argus and the others, they were handed bags, as the men preached about the Emperor.
'Go forth and bring honor to the Emperors name.'
'Serve he who sits upon the golden throne well.'
'Fear not death, for it is in service of the god of mankind.'
Argus barely heard or listened to them, as he opened the bag and found bread. Actual bread and more than that, there was some sort of food bar and a small canteen filled with water. He could hardly help himself, none of his squad mates could. He immediately dug in as he ate, fresh tears poured from his eyes as he did. He could hardly remember the last time he ate, and though this was simple, though this was but the most meager of supplies, it was euphoric. All the guardsmen thought so, as they ate their meal with such care and diligence, that not a word was spoken. Watched cheerfully by their commanders and by Lord Commissar Farune. He smiled as he watched his plan go into effect. Yes, many of these guardsmen would fully commit their lives now, fight and die without hesitation and obey their orders. For while broken spirits made it easy to mold, he knew there was something more powerful. Yes. This act of charity would come at a great cost in the ships entire food supply to feed the guardsmen before they departed for the station. However, he and Farlo had already discussed it. The station was large enough to support nearly the entire ships worth of people on its own, and so it had to have a steady supply of food and other resources. They were also fortunate that the station would be similar terrain to what his Guardsmen have so far trained in, making their effectiveness much higher. The station itself had clearly stopped communications, despite being in near pristine condition at least from the outside. They tried to communicate several times to the station when they arrived, but they received no response. All they could pull up were the last vox records that the station had sent, all about having received shipments of food and water from SolaIV, several Terran months before it was destroyed. Everything was falling into place, despite how coincidental it all seemed. The Emperor worked in many ways…
This act of charity ensured his complete control over his troops now, having provided them with both hope and an outstretched hand of faith by the missionaries he had deliver the food. For a broken soul, such things easily would turn the most adamant non-believer into a preacher of the faith. Now they just had to clear the entire station of anything that remained aboard. If there were still Imperial forces… they were traitor for lacking in their duties and so, it did not matter if they died. They could have easily responded to their attempts at communication. Yes. Everything fell into place. He watched with a widening smile, as the sounds of hymns and chants filled the entire docking bay. His guardsmen quickly piled into their transports and ferried off, one by one into space. The station had defensive weapons on it, however there was no indication that they were in use. Suspiciously, one seemed to have been out of commission very recently, simply from how it was damaged from looking at it. Whatever had happened aboard the station, he had faith his guardsmen would at the very least, be able to quell it. If nothing else, securing the resources aboard the station was all that mattered.
Not that Argus could have known any of that. His briefing was simple and to the point as he and his squad were crowded into the transport shuttle. Though he found it odd it was only his squad placed inside, his commander was quick to explain.
"Our mission is simple. We are clearing the entire station of all assailants. We do not know what they are yet, but it is likely they may be traitors. Do not feel sympathy for them, for they have shunned the Emperors good graces. Our squad along with B, C and D squads are the vanguard for the main force. We will secure the hanger bay upon arrival, and make sure these cargo transports land safely. When the main force begs arriving we will continue on in search for the storage rooms and begin escorting it back to be loaded on the cargo transports. Understood?"
Argus and the rest of his squad-mates only nodded. Such was the expected response to their commander's words, and he seemed pleased by it. With nothing else to say, they waited for hours as the ship drifted onward in space. Nothing but the sound of silence between them. Argus took the time to look at each of them, just as downtrodden as he was. But something was different among them, as they all seemed to have a newly defined resolve. Such was more than Argus remembered ever seeing on their faces, and he wondered if he too had the same resolve. He wasn't sure. Though as he really looked at them, he found he couldn't even recall their names. It never really mattered what their names were really, at least to him. Just their titles if they had one, or squad-mate. They were all fodder anyway, so why bother? But today, he felt almost ashamed of it.
He shook his head as he pulled up his lasgun and looked it over. He wanted to make sure it was in proper order before they arrived. Before whatever was to happen aboard their destination came to pass. His fellow guardsmen joined in not long after as they each looked over their own weapons. The one who had the vox-pack, who Argus called vox-carrier, carefully and meticulously looked over the equipment as he had been trained to do. Argus only recalled his face because he was one of the few who stayed the same amongst his squad. And, since he was always well treated by the commander. After all, he had become just as pious as Commander was. Either way, it didn't matter. As he finished his maintenance, Argus held the lasgun back to his chest and looked ahead at the doors, ready for whatever came.
He didn't know how long the trip took, and its end seemed to creep up on him. The entire transport shook as they felt it land onto a hard surface. Then a light flashed on above the doors, green. They opened forwards soon after and Commander pointed forward. He did as he was trained as he and his squad-mates rushed forward into what seemed like another docking bay. Though the lights were dim and flashed red, eerily silent. Not a single other ship in the vicinity of their own. Crates scattered about the place, some of them busted open with their contents long since removed. Argus took cover behind one of the crates as he aimed his lasgun at the sealed door which led to the rest of the station. His commander knelt beside him as he called vox-carrier to his side. He looked over the area and then spoke up.
"It seems this area is clear. Vox carrier, come here. Contact the others and alert them that the area is secure and to begin landing. We will continue along to further investigate what is going on."
Vox-carrier did as he was told, but Argus stopped paying attention as he saw a strange shadow in the distance. He could have sworn that a vent above the door shifted, as if a black blob ran past. Though he didn't know whether to tell his commander… perhaps it was just a trick of the eye.
Then again, he saw… something move. At the vent again, as if it was waiting there.
"C-Commander… there might be something in the vent."
His commander put a hand on his shoulder as he leered over.
"Hmmm… good eye, Argus. Riker, Robin, press ahead and investigate."
With no objection two of his fellows stood from their places behind boxes and rushed forward. They stood at both sides of the door as they peered up at the vent, their lasguns held up. Argus nearly jumped up as he heard a loud thump behind him, only to realize it was probably the other transports arriving. His commander tapped him again on his shoulder as he stood up. Argus followed and the rest of his squad pressed forward. He wasn't sure why, but Argus kept a short distance between him and his commander. Perhaps it was because he felt it was safer, but then again, wouldn't they go for their commander first? He didn't care enough about him to keep him alive… though perhaps his body would just make him jump in the way regardless.
He and the others made their way up to the door as their commander raised his pistol, or what seemed to be a pistol. It was much larger than anything Argus had seen before, and emanated a faint blue energy from it. Without warning Commander raised it at the vent and fired, blasting a massive hole in the wall as the blue flame it launched disintegrated the metal. As the smoke cleared, a loud clattering sound was heard that continued away from them. While Argus backed away from the heat produced by the flame, Commander seemed unfazed and clearly disgruntled.
"We proceed with caution."
He walked up to the side of the door and pressed a few buttons on the side console. Then when the doors opened, her he gave a nod towards Argus and the squad member closest to him. They walked forward into the dark, empty corridor as they were prompted and looked down both ways. It was a large and spacious hallway, with very little in the way of decoration. Simply constructed from metal in the most utilitarian way, with jutted support beams at intervals along both sides of wall. He looked to his squad mate and walked forward as he pressed himself against one of the supports. The darkness was hard to see through, and it scared Argus. While he had gotten used to such conditions aboard the ship, he didn't have to fear something would spring from the darkness to attack him. His squad mate however simply held his lasgun up as he looked down the hallway, unafraid. He peered down as if he saw something.
Commander cleared his throat before he spoke.
"Report."
Argus tried to speak but found he had trouble getting the words out. His heart pounded against his chest in a discomforting rhythm as he calmed himself, or at least tried. He had to remain calm... Thankfully he didn't have to say anything as this squad mate in the middle of the hallway responded instead.
"Nothin' so far commander. But is going to be ell' to see in this darkness."
As soon as he said that the lights around them flashed on in a single blinding moment as Argus shut his eyes tightly to adjust. He opened them up again just in time to watch as his squad member in the hall was ripped to shreds by an unseen projectile, the sounds of some sort of gunfire exploding out from down the hallway. Blood splashed in all directions as flesh was ripped from bone and in moments, his hole ridden corpse hit the ground.
Argus pressed himself as tightly as he could against the support beam as he heard the whistles of projectiles rush by. He held tightly onto his lasgun as he shook. He let go with one hand as he felt the belt of his uniform for the one grenade he was assigned. He found it and with a pull of the release using his teeth he launched it to the side down the hallway. A loud 'krak!' followed, as smoke filled the hallway. Commander and the rest of his squad rushed in as they opened fire down the hallway. Argus too managed to look down into the smoke filled hallway and fired his lasgun aimlessly into the black puff. When it cleared he saw what remained; a makeshift barricade of boxes, and metal scraps, several bodies outstretched over it. His commander rushed on ahead, his pistol in hand as he marched unfazed at the loss of one of his soldiers. Argus wish he could have mourned, felt something at the loss of life, but he didn't. He only pressed ahead behind his commander. Jittery as he went, his lasgun held up as he aimed it ahead of him. He couldn't say he wasn't curious who attacked them, and as he did he didn't know what to think. They looked human but… something was…
His commander knelt over one of the bodies as he flipped it over to reveal the face of what seemed like a beautiful young human man. His face almost too perfect… pleasant in death, as if he died peacefully despite how violent it actually was. He also wore strange cloths, skin tight and nothing Imperial looking about them. A necklace over his neck that shined brightly with the single round stone in its center. Then Argus noticed his ears, long and pointed as they were covered with blood. Commander broke his gaze as he grabbed the necklace from the corpse's body and forcefully ripped it off the neck as he held it in the air.
"Vox carrier. Contact the ship and alert them that Eldar are aboard the ship. It doesn't seem like they were soldiers, given that we are still alive. But it doesn't matter. We must cleanse this entire station of this xenos filth."
Eldar…? What were Eldar?
Argus looked down at the body again. They could have been human, or at least… he was pulled away from his thoughts as he heard an awful crunch. He looked down on the floor as Commander slammed the necklace onto the ground and stomped on the stone with his boot. He turned to look at Argus and tilted his head to the side.
"As for us, we press forward. If we follow this corridor we should arrive in the storage bay soon enough. However, I expect the Eldar will be expecting us. Hopefully there are no members of their more militarized forces among them. Though I doubt they would send their precious civilians into battle before them… most curious."
He shook his head as he kicked the corpse to the side.
"No matter. Do not hesitate and kill them all on sight. They are xenos, who seek the demise of all of mankind. Give them no pity for they deserve none. And vox-carrier, call in a special request. Requisition us some autocannons and as many flamers as possible. Depending on how many of the bastards are infesting this station, we will have to burn and blast them away one room at a time."
Argus watched as more guardsman from other squads poured into the hallway and rushed past his own at the behest of their own commanders. Commander then turned to Argus.
"It was quick thinking of you, Argus, with that krak grenade. Afraid it won't be so easy going forward, but, you did well to make our presence clear to this alien scum. Let's press forward, towards our destination."
Argus only managed a nod as he followed after Commander. Just one amongst the stream of guardsman that flooded the hall. All of them, even his own squad mates, walked over the body of their fallen comrade. Though Argus could only assume, there was no burial, not now. This was war, at least their own. And it wasn't long until battle resumed as they came to a T-intersection. On one side was another makeshift barricade, where several Eldar stood behind. They didn't give any chance, and the first few guardsman who walked into line of sight was eradicated, shredded just like Argus squad mate. The guardsmen returned fire, but having no cover of their own were almost left defenseless. More guardsmen piled into a side room to avoid being shot, only to be surprised as another barricade was set up inside and those who opened the door were immediately fired upon.
It wasn't until the rear guard veterans showed up that they made progress as they brought flamers with them. Without a moment's hesitation they set the entire corridor and the room ablaze, the loud screams of burning souls echoing along the metal walls. Argus was at the back as he watched all of this, still beside his commander as he stood behind a corner of the hallway. The wave of guardsmen didn't let up, and as soon as their route was clear they pressed forward, some even desecrating the dead bodies of the Eldar as they went. Every room afterwards was met with a breach, and every corner of the hallway not passed until grenades were thrown down them. The veterans pressed between squads and methodically flamed out every room they could. Argus's squad stayed as far back as possible, only because Commander insisted he watch from a distance. Whenever they would walk past the bodies of the Eldar, he would crush the stones that all of them wore around their necks. Argus was unsure how to feel, jumpy at every sound and every bout of combat made him uneasy. Then they came to the largest room yet, a massive open area that lead into several other hallways, and a single lift in its center that led down somewhere below.
Here, they encountered something much stronger than they had previously as armored soldiers waited for the guardsmen. They moved quickly, as they darted from one point to another, their elongated pointed helmets the only thing that Argus could readily identify. This time there was at least cover for him and the others, behind a whole host of crates, tables and statues that were hastily strewn about the domed area. Tapestries hung from the ceiling and drooped down to the floor all along the sides of the room, seemingly left untouched despite the xeno presence, and an above area that circled the center space. From there more of the new Eldar soldiers fired down at them, and bodies soon piled the floor. Argus squad was finally forced to rejoin the fight and took cover behind a small cargo lift thrown over on the right side of the room. Argus barely managed to poke his head over the barrier before he ducked down again from the sound of projectiles colliding against it. He watched as he squad mates poked up and fired at different targets, and everything was in mayhem. The sounds of las fire and the weapons of the Eldar almost deafening as they echoed off every surface in the room. Still he followed his orders as Commander yelled at them to keep firing.
He pulled up and fired again at a passing Eldar which seemed to blurrily sway away behind one of the statues. With a shot fired Argus ducked down again and looked to Commander who busily communicated with someone through Vox-carrier. He looked to his right to see his squad mate stand up and fire a shot, only to be launched back into the wall as his body was riddled full of holes. Blood spurted like a fountain as veins were severed, and Argus felt the hot crimson goo wash over his face. He wiped it away furiously from his eyes as the grime temporarily blinded him. As he blinked his eyes open he looked up and saw another Edlar soldier on the upper level above them. He raised his lasgun and fired in the general direction as he held down the trigger. One of the shots managed to make its mark as it broke through the Eldar's helmet and they fell down to the floor just beside him. One of his squad mates turned quickly to the side and fired into the body for assurance, as more blood splatted all across them. Commander was quickly to their side as he dragged the vox-carrier behind him.
"Hold on, I requested reinforcement!"
Just as he finished his sentence the deafening sound of autocannons broke the silence as they fired high powered rounds through the hallway and into the room, punching massive holes in everything in their path. Argus didn't want to consider it, but he knew that not all of the other guardsmen had gotten out of the way. Luckily the gambit worked, as the Eldar were caught off guard, their cover destroyed and the rest were quickly dealt with by the vets with flamers who stepped over their own cover and began to pour the liquid flames over the anything in sight. It got unbearably hot as corpses, crates and metal burned, the smell just as severe. But after it was done, there was silence as all of the Guardsmen including Argus waited for a surprise rebound. Waited for any little noise or movement. Though as silence began to take hold, the guardsmen were told to move forward and secure the space. The flames were extinguished, and the heavy artillery rolled in through the hallway. Nearly six autoguns mounted on wheels were pushed through, and one was placed on each hallway looking outward. This was to become their main point of operations, from which they would cleanse the rest of the station. Argus found himself unable to rest as he stayed near the bodies of the Eldar he killed and the squad mate who was killed beside him. Their squad was already down two members, and Argus couldn't help but think on how quickly it happened. How truly expendable they were, how expendable he was. One of his living comrades stood beside him as he looked down at the dead elder.
"So this is a xeno huh…? Thought they'd be uglier than this."
Argus looked over towards Commander to see him communicating with the other leading officers. Likely about whatever their next objective was. They didn't even bat an eye at any of this. They seemed to know so much, like whoever these Eldar were before. It was… odd to say in the least. No, it wasn't odd actually. It was expected wasn't it? They were veterans themselves, having survived battles before this one. Argus could only wonder at the things they had gone through that made them so calm in such situations as this.
He looked down at the Eldar again, his comrade still talking, but he didn't pay notice. The lifeless glare of the mask stared at him as his reflection came into view. Why did they look so human? What did they…
"What's underneath the mask you think?"
He turned to his comrade who proposed the question.
"What?"
Before he could really comprehend what they were doing the other guardsman knelt down and tugged on the helmet of the dead Eldar. He struggled to pull at first, but after a while and a small click the helmet flew off to reveal a sight that really shook Argus to his core. It was a woman… or a female Eldar, at least. But she still… she looked so human. Even in death she seemed beautiful and content, despite the open mouth on her corpse and the lifeless eye that peered at him. The other eye nothing but a hole now from where the lasgun had managed to pierce, as the now familiar red liquid poured like a waterfall down her cheek.
His comrade didn't seem to find the sight nearly as troubling as he did.
"Wow! She's a beut, isn't she? Almost human. Shame she was a damn Xeno. Still, she looks so damn beautiful! Emperor, I haven't even seen a woman in… I don't know how long. Too long if you ask me."
Argus stayed silent as the dead Eldars eyes looked at him, deep into his soul. Then he noticed the stone just above her chest, built into a small socket on her armor. The same kind that had been on all of the necklaces that Commander enjoyed crushing.
His comrade reached out a hand to touch the Eldars face when he was hit on the back with a metal baton. He keeled to the side as he turned around to see who it was. It was Commander, and he didn't seem pleased at all.
"Hello guardsman, did I just witness attempted heresy?"
Argus stepped aside as he watched the guardsman on the floor push away from the body.
"N-No sir, its just, I mean… look at her. She's gorgeous, and I haven't even seen another-"
Commander raised his hand as if to strike him again, but stopped halfway down.
"She is a filthy Xeno! Do not meddle yourself with such filth. Or do you want to bring yourself so low as to pervert your humanity with the corpse of a Xeno? Do you? Because those who tarnish their humanity are naught but traitor to the Emperor himself. Kill the Xeno, rid them from the Emperors sight, and extinguish their flame. That is all you do. For we are humanity, and we are above them. I will not make this statement again, Guardsman."
The only response he got was a nod as the cowering guardsman pushed himself away and walked off. Then Commander looked to Argus.
"If you ever see something like that again, shoot the perpetrator on sight."
Argus himself only managed a nod and a simple, "Sir." Somehow a little surprised that such an order was given to him. It didn't help that he proceeded to watch as his commander broke his own rule and pulled out the stone that was in the Eldars armor. He pried it off with his side knife, as if he had done so countless times before. Then he held it firmly in his hand as he rubbed it along his fingers. All the while he seemed angry about it, displeased that he even held it in his hands.
"Eldar, Argus. Some of the most foul Xeno I have ever encountered before. Self-indulgent monsters who have no regard for any life save their own miserable filth. They would kill us all just to save a single damnable stone like this one. They look like us, but even that is a sin in the eyes of the Emperor. Feel no pity. I have made it my life's desire to kill every Eldar I have the pleasure of finding. Certainly hard bastards to kill, but here… this station has provided me an opportunity to repay them for what they took from me. They haven't put up nearly as much resistance as I have seen before, most of them aren't even soldiers. Oh Argus… if only you knew…"
Argus had no words to say. He held everything in, unable to say anything, because he felt he would explode lest he let out even a whimper. He didn't fully understand why Commander told him what he did, but he felt everything the man said as he fondled the stone in his hand. Malice nd anger, right to its core. He could only imagine the history he had with the xeno. Unsure of any other response, he gave a nod, and for Commander that was plenty. Argus was simply a scared guardsman in his eyes, one of many he had seen over the course of his service.
"Well then, we are going to move out soon. Our squad still has a mission to accomplish."
Argus only continued to nod as his answer, much to the indifference of Commander. He watched as the stone was dropped onto the ground and then smashed beneath the man's boot, just like all the others. Though with this one, Argus saw a twisted joy that came across commande6r's face. His smile as wide as it could go, for all but a moment, and a bright glint in his downward eyes. With every stone he crushed, it only seemed to become more apparent. Argus didn't want to know why he hated these Eldar so much, or anything. He just wanted… he didn't know what he wanted. As he looked around at the base of operations that was slowly being constructed around him, he had to tell himself again and again, this was his purpose. He was a Guardsman now, whether he liked it or not. This rampant death was merely part of the deal. His life was out of his hands, and in the palm of his commander, and his commander's superiors, and their superiors… all the way up to the Emperor of Mankind. But Argus had a hard time accepting it all, even after the fated battle came, and he was forced to kill. He felt…
He looked again at the corpse of the Eldar woman who laid dead on the floor. A xeno, a threat to mankind and the Imperium at large. She would have killed him with no remorse. None of the Eldar he had seen seemed to care about the lives of humans. They hadn't seen so much as an inkling of the crew either, and Argus could only guess at why. He saw how easily guardsman were picked off, shot by the Eldar weapons which ripped them to shreds. Yet as he looked at this one Eldar woman's corpse he couldn't help but feel… sorry? No, that wasn't it. This was war, death was inevitable. No matter whose side he was on that would never change, and the enemies demise was not a want-it was a necessity. At least for him, a single lone guardsman, one of the rank and file whose job it was to fight on behest of an Imperium he hardly knew. He wasn't sure if he could have it. These were the thoughts of a traitor, he knew that. Still, he couldn't help but see the tragedy of this universe in that dead woman's eyes.
His gaze was torn away suddenly as one of the veterans walked beside him and heaved one of the dead guardsman over the Eldars corpse. Then another was added, and another, until she was no longer seen, buried beneath the number of bodies it took to kill but a few of these armored Eldar soldiers. It was disgusting, but Argus could not look away. This was reality.
He felt a soft nudge on his back as he looked to see vox-carrier from his squad.
"Come on mate, we gotta' get on moving. Commander Augustus wants our squad to move out now. Hurry up, the Emperor won't be waitin' for ya'."
Argus pulled himself away from where he stood and followed his squad-mate. He brushed off the now dried blood which covered his face as it flecked off. The blood on his flak armor much harder to remove, almost stained. They approached the rightmost of the branching corridors, a long hallway that stretched off into more unknown. There, Commander waited for them as he looked down the darkened hallway. It was the only one which had light that flickered, only spots of the hallway lit in light. Commander sneered as he turned away and flicked his hand to motion, pointing own the darkened space as another commander ran ahead inside with his squad. By the time Argus and Vox-Carrier walked up to him, two other squads ran down the hallway into the dark. Their commander looked over the eight remaining members of his squad, then down the hall again.
"Alright. We've encountered heavier resistance, but it is no matter. Our goal remains the same, and we are to head down this corridor to locate one of the primary storage rooms on this station and secure all the food we come across. Lest the blasted Eldar ruined it all. Come along. Squads D, Q and F have already departed down."
With that two of the squad went first, and then another two, and so on until it was just Argus, Commander and Vox-Carrier. The three of them went together, all anxious as they walked into what was almost assuredly a trap in the making. Commander had the most experience with these xenos, and knew how crafty the bastards were. That's why he spaced out his squad in increments along the hallway, to try and limit the damage done in a single attack. Then again, the Eldar would probably find a way to use it to their advantage. Argus and Vox-Carrier didn't have that insight however and only had their observations to go off of. That was enough however, to know that they weren't in the clear.
So in darkness they treaded, further and further, and across several turns in complete silence. Not a sound from any of the squads sent beforehand. Strangely however, the further they got down the hallway, the brighter the light became. Much to Argus relief, they came across one of the other squads which had gone in prior. They all stood at the front of a door to a room along the corridor, the first they had come across. Commander was perturbed by their silence as he approached and pushed his way towards the other squad's commander who stood at the doorway. The man had his hands clenched tightly together, and he seemed so disgusted by whatever he saw within the room that the veins on his head showed.
Commander needed to know what held them up, and so he made it clear.
"What are you doing Rein? If the rooms…"
Commander stopped midsentence as he himself looked into the room.
"Ah. Damnable Xeno's. Come, we'll get vengeance for them."
The two commanders stepped away as they motioned for their guardsmen to follow. They all did, though as each passed the door they glimpsed inside. As Argus's turn came, he saw what had disgusted all of them so much. Bodies. Human bodies. Piled into the room, one on top of the other. They didn't have guardsmen uniforms, and worse still, there were many who were… young. Argus could only guess this was the fate of the stations crew, killed by the Eldar and stuffed into rooms like…
Argus didn't want to think of it. He turned away and kept going forward. However, as he looked back at Vox-Carrier, he saw he only stood there. His hands clenched tightly over his lasgun as he looked into the room. Argus couldn't just let him stand there, they had to keep moving.
"Hey… come on. There's… there's nothing we can do for them."
Vox-Carrier disregarded his words as he stepped towards the doorway.
"No. I can't just leave them like this. Piled up like garbage!"
Argus felt a hand brush him aside as Commander walked past him, having noticed the hold up. A guardsmen didn't get caught up with such tragedy, for it would only serve to drive them insane. That, and he needed his vox carrier alive and able to perform his duty.
"Vox carrier get back here. That is an order."
Vox-carrier ignored his words and stepped inside the room.
"I refuse to let the Emperors flock be treated this way!"
Commander shoved Argus forward.
"Go get him, drag him back here if you have to."
Argus obliged and started the walk towards the door when it exploded. Smoke and debris filled the section of hallway just outside the door as fire engulfed the area around it. Argus was unluckily in the radius as he was launched back into the wall with a loud thud and fell down onto the metal floor unconscious. Commander scratched along his face as a flying piece of metal cut the side of his cheek.
"Just like the Eldar to make a trap of the dead. One of you, pick up Argus. If he ain't dead carry him along until he either becomes dead weight or wakes up."
"Right away sir."
Argus came to, laid down against a wall. He barely remembered what had happened before he was knocked unconscious. His head spun in circles as his eyes adjusted to his surroundings, a bout of sickness overtook him as he lurched forward and vomited onto the floor. The bile left a horrid taste in his mouth that lingered, the acidic juices burning his throat as he tried to grasp what was going on. Another guardsman, one from his squad, knelt beside him and held a hand onto his shoulder.
"Back in the light of the Emperor are ya? Well, glad to see you ain't dead. Come on, get up, we almost got the door open."
Argus stood up as he picked up the Lasgun that was laid on the wall beside him. He blinked over and over again until clear vision returned to him. He watched as his squad-mate walked down the corridor towards a massive door. There Commander and all the other guardsmen, including those from the squad they met with earlier, stood around it. Sparks flew in the air as someone tried to cut into the lock that held the door shut, another guardsman kicking the side of the door to try and loosen it. Argus tried to stand presentably as he joined with the crowd, noticed by Commander who gave a glance over his shoulder to see him.
"Ah, you're still alive. Good. We managed to make it to the designated storage room. Get your lasgun in position and stand ready for whatever is on the other side. We can't access it, even with overriding the system. Needless to say, the Eldar likely have a trap for us. Alright, everyone get in formation!"
Argus nodded as he and the rest of his squad stepped away from the door and held up their lasguns. Commander and the other squad did the same, leaving the one guardsman who used a welder to cut into the door. After several long minutes, the door clicked as the sliding mechanism gave up and the door slid apart. The guardsman with the welding tool stepped away quickly, afraid of whatever was behind. It was dark in the room, though the outline of crates stacked high to the ceiling were visible. If they were lucky, they were filled with nothing but food items. Still none of them moved, the guardsmen awaiting their commanders orders.
Before any such orders could be given however, a deep and almost mechanical voice spoke up.
"Foolish monkeigh. You first destroy our craftworld and then chase us like prey? Did you not see what became of this stations crew? The same will befall you!"
Commander pushed himself behind Argus and another member of his squad.
"Brave words, xenos scum. Every last one of you will be eradicated from this station, and I promise you your precious soul stones will not be spared!"
A loud and angry growl echoed from the room as the voice answered back with malice.
"You dare speak such arrogant words against the Eldar? I will avenge all of my fallen brethren! I will fulfill my duty and my honor, to protect their souls. Even if it comes down to only me, I will kill every last one of you!"
A large Eldar construct stepped out from the doorway, its body similar to that of the armored Edlar Argus had seen before. The head though was completely different, similar to that of a large shell, rounded and smooth, with two black symbols along the white surface. A massive gun in its hands that it pointed towards the nearest guardsman and fired. Within a few seconds that person was blasted into nothingness as their bodies were eviscerated. All of the Guardsman opened fire on the construct at once, as it held up its arm to block some of the shots, cocky in its resilience. It only pressed forward as it used the swing of its arm to crush the skull of another nearby Guardsman and splatter their body like paste into the wall. Argus stepped back, fearful of the thing in front of him. Still he fired, one shot after another despite how ineffective it seemed.
The Eldar fired again into the crowd of Guardsman as more of them were completely destroyed, hardly anything left to mourn over. It was cocky as it pushed onto the crowd, and thinned their numbers one by one. The other squad that had met with Argus' were completely wiped out in but a few moments. Yet, even this Eldars powerful shell could not resist the focused lasgun fire forever as it slowly began to chip away from the abuse, and a lucky shot managed to hit its weapon in such a way that the firing mechanism broke. In a fit of rage the Eldar threw the weapon at the guardsmen killing another four of Argus squad mates.
Argus ran to the side as the Eldar rushed forward with its arms and grabbed another of his squad and threw them into the wall. Still the lagun fire didn't stop and slowly but surely, the Eldar construct broke away in several places. Seeing this Commander knew what he had to do as he raised his plasma pistol. He set it to overcharge and ran forward.
"Cover me guardsmen!"
Argus instinctively rushed alongside and continued to fire his lasgun. The rest of his squad too rushed to protect their commander, who desperately tried to get close enough. The Eldar figured what the monkeigh intended to do, and found such a gambit desperate. Still they obliged the guardsmen as they rushed along to meet them. In truth, the Eldar was just as desperate as these flailing monkeigh, but they had a duty to uphold, and so they would. The Eldar shoved away the entire left side of the guardsman, crushed them against the wall and grabbing ahold of Commander with its free arm as it lifted him into the air. Yet it missed Argus who slid to the side of the Eldar and fired his lasgun into its arm. The shot was lucky as it managed to hit right in the joint beneath its armpit, causing a major malfunction as the arm fell limp. This was all the distraction that Commander needed as he shoved the overcharging plasma pistol into its face and pushed away. In a hot blast of blue flames, almost the entirety of the constructs head was melted away, its arms detached from its shoulders. It fell forward, first onto its knees and then its chest onto the floor.
Argus didn't take chances as he rushed over it and fired over and over again into the open cavity. Commander, stood from the ground where he landed, with his right arm now removed. He walked up to Argus and patted him on the back.
"Well done guardsman, seems…"
He looked around at the scene before them.
"We were the only ones to make it. The life of a guardsman…"
He stumbled aside and over the construct as he nodded his head forward.
"Come along Argus, we still have to secure our prize."
Argus looked around at the many bodies scattered across the floor, and then back at the construct. So much violence… and so much death. It was all disgusting. But he had a hand in it all. Still, it made it no easier. Though seeing how fearsome these Eldar were, with their weapons and whatever was the armor they fought… he saw how dangerous they were. And it called the monkeigh, whatever that was supposed to mean. That he even survived was a miracle.
He shook his head, hoping to stop thinking about it. He just had to push on. He just had to listen to orders. He… he stepped over the constructs body, and then over the crushed bodies of his fellow guardsman as he chased after Commander who walked into the storage room. To his surprise the light flashed on, but there was no ambush. There was nothing but crates, and crates of food. He had seen the markings on such crates before in his former life, at the warehouse, which separated the weapons, food and other resources from one another. Though as he walked forward he found that Commander focused on something else entirely.
Sat on a small box and cowering against the pile behind her, was a girl. But she wasn't a human girl, as both Argus and Commander noticed her pointed ears. She was small, hardly half of Argus size, and she wore odd clothes. Tight to her skin, and colored similarly to the soldiers and the construct they had fought. She had light brownish blond hair, and vibrant blue eyes that shook in terror. Commander almost laughed as he saw her, how scared and terrified she was. He had never met an Eldar child before, never had the pleasure. Yes, the Emperor was with him. He would get revenge for his own family who had been killed by these wretched Xeno scum.
He spat out blood onto the girl as she shook and pushed away. Though she said nothing. Commander didn't care as he stepped aside, his gaze never leaving from the girl.
"You… all this death to protect you? Is that why the wraithknight or whatever the hell you call those things killed my squad? You filthy, xeno. I would kill you with my own hands, but…"
He waved his stumped arm towards the girl as more blood splashed over her. She almost squealed in horror, but managed to suppress it. Though her eyes did not hide the terror she felt. Her body shook and trembled at everything before her, and she didn't want to die.
Argus watched her, and all the thoughts he had until then came back. How disgusting this was. This universe, this world he was born into. It was violence with no reprieve, and despite it all, despite any necessity, despite the cruelty that persisted, he couldn't help but feel disgusting. He refused to believe that this was all there was. Endless fighting and death. He knew that the Eldar killed all of the people aboard the station, he knew they killed his fellow guardsman and would have killed him if they got the chance. He also knew that humanity sought to destroy everything that wasn't them; his commander made sure to repeat that to him over and over during training. He knew all of that, but this… she was just a child. She didn't have a say in this fucked up universe, just as he had no say in being drafted for a cosmic war filled with death. This was cruel, this was unforgiving… this was… this…
His commander stepped aside, his gaze still aimed at the girl.
"Argus, kill her."
Argus froze up as he held his lasgun. He instinctively pulled it up as if to aim, but this time he shook and found himself hesitate. He saw the girl, how scared she was, and how much she shook. She was just a damn child! She wasn't a soldier… she... wasn't whatever the hell that thing was, the 'wraithknight' or whatever his commander called it. She was a fellow prisoner in this fucked up universe! She was just…
"She's just a child…"
Commander turned around and gave Argus the coldest stare he had ever given anyone.
"A child? A child?! She is a xeno! An alien, who is bent on the destruction of all mankind! This is why we must eliminate them all before they do the same to us! You saw, didn't you guardsman? What happened to the crew of this station? To your fellow soldiers of the Emperor?"
Argus couldn't deny it, as he gritted his teeth and replied.
"Yes…"
Commander turned back to look at the cowering girl.
"She has grown up in a world that despises us Argus. There is no salvation for the xeno, only death. To the Eldar, her life would be more valuable than a thousand human children. Than a planets worth of human children. It doesn't matter to them, because we are human and they are Eldar! Now shoot her, before I punish you for heresy!"
Argus looked into the girl's eyes as she began to cry. Argus couldn't bring himself to do it. No, this universe was a cruel and twisted one. Humanity may very well need to kill the xeno, but it also killed itself in droves. It would sacrifice its own planets to be destroyed before it let whoever it fought win. It drafted thousands of people from their homes into service to fight in this endless fucking war. For an emperor that he did not know or understand, and yes these were the thoughts of a traitor. He had his choice revoked from him, twisted and changed into obedience to this. To be a soldier, who killed because he was told so. He obliged and did everything as he was directed up till this point. Argus didn't understand everything, he hardly understood his own species. He didn't know anything about the universe he lived in other than what he saw, what he was told. This girl… who was to say the same wasn't for her? Victims of horrible circumstance? If the Eldar killed humans, it was just the same as humans killing Eldar. Whether this was the right decision or not, Argus didn't know. But it would be his choice all the same.
"Of course, sir."
Argus pulled the trigger, and moments later, his commander fell to the ground dead. The Eldar girl screamed in terror as she had shut her eyes, expecting death. She didn't however, realize her life had been spared. Argus dropped his lasgun, quickly walked up to her and removed his helmet. He placed it over her head as she hardly resisted. She didn't understand what had happened, or why Argus had done what he had. To shoot his commander over her, an Eldar, whom she was told humans despised. Still she could not fight him, she hardly had the strength to move. Argus knelt down to her level as he looked at her, as concerned as her guardian who had set out to protect her.
Argus took a deep breath. This was foolish, but he wanted to give someone a chance. The chance he didn't have, to become something else than what this twisted universe wanted of him. He didn't know what this would cause, or what he had gotten into, but he would stay the course. And now, he and this Eldar girl were tied together.
"Listen to me, I won't hurt you. But you need to do as I say. Do not remove this helmet, and let me do all of the talking. I… I'll get us out of here. But you have to trust me. I know that… this is hard to understand. Hell I don't even know if you can understand me… but…"
Argus looked around for something to cover the girl's strange cloths with, and finally just pulled off his commander's cloak. He put it over the girl's shoulders as he helped her stand from the box.
"I won't let harm come to you ok? Things… I don't know what's going to happen. But, our best chance of getting out of here is if we do this together ok?"
The girl only nodded, understanding his words fluently. She was still a child, very young as Eldar went. Perhaps the youngest a normal human had ever met before. Still, she had no other options, this was it. This was her only course of action…
Just then, more guardsman came from behind as they walked into the room. They were the veterans, and strangely, they had no commander of their own. The one who looked to be in charge of the group, a tall and bulky man walked over to Argus.
"So, I'm guessing it's just you left huh? And… who's the girl?"
Argus slowly pushed her behind him.
"She's… a survivor. Probably the only one from the entire crew."
The veteran looked Argus over, and then the girl. He took a deep breath and then sighed.
"Damn. Tragedy never ends does it? But, we aren't a daycare. We're the guard. Who's going to watch her?"
Argus interrupted before any further inclinations could be made.
"I'll watch over her. I'll take responsibility for her."
The veteran sighed again.
"Well whatever. It's your responsibility. Just don't bring it up with those feckin' commanders. Me and the lads were escorting the servo lifts to secure the food crates. Didn't expect to find most everyone dead, though guess the sneaky bastards still are around the ship. Well, doesn't matter, we've managed to clean out most of the station. So, why don't you and the girl hitch a ride with us, seeing as you don't have a squad anymore?"
Argus could hardly believe his luck as he gently pulled the girl to him, still weary of the other veterans.
"Thank you…"
The man grinned, almost happily.
"Hey, were all together in this fecked up mess. Might as well try and do some good other than popping heads. Maybe I'll even make good with the Emperor. Now hurry up and get to one of the servo-lifts… though actually, real quick, what happened to your commander?"
Argus froze up again as he tried to think of a response, until he finally blurted out the best one he could find.
"He… he was killed by the Eldar during the attack."
The veteran raised an eye but to him it hardly mattered.
"Ah, well I hated the bastard. Guess I was just hoping he would have suffered a bit more you know? Ours got a bit to… uppity shall we say. On this ship, sure they had all the control they wanted, but here, accidents happen. Alright go on, we'll send you an' the girl with the first wave of the haulers."
Argus nodded as he tugged the girl along by the hand. She didn't resist, having no other options, but to follow along with the human, the guardsman, who saved her. What was to come of this, neither of them knew. Both were just as scared as the other, but for once Argus felt he had a purpose that was more than cannon-fodder. Still, the future still held so many things for the pair yet, which they could not foresee.
Okay, so this story may have gotten a bit bigger than I originally intended. Sorry for the long wait. Took me a while to finish this part, and then longer to look over it. Only have been able to work on it between school work and classes currently, so I apologize if some errors snuck past. Since this wasn't a planned fic I have been trying out a bunch of ideas, some better than others admittedly. I have a plot map of where its going, though I've added some things here and there (even removed some), but I only intend on having 3 parts so the next should be the end of this tale. This story is meant to be one about perspective which always changes based on whose point of view it is, of which 40k has plenty and I am always fascinated by that. Nobody ever really has the whole picture, well some do, but they are mysterious for now. Either way, I hope you enjoy it and as always feel free to comment.
Wish you well wherever you are, take care
