"Who knows if we'll survive." – Larz Benny, Cadian 71st

They were now approaching the twenty-seventh day in the field of battle. Their rations had run out, ammunition close to nil, and there was still the constant fear of the unseen enemy on this unknown terrain. Larz and Xander took turns lugging Johnny on their back while I'bsa kept tranquilizers in-hand, in case Johnny was to wake up. His hand quivered as he watched the almost lifeless body that used to be his comrade. He hoped that Johnny would wake up and be who he once was…that happy-go-lucky little brother of the Cadian 71st. But that dream faded as I'bsa gazed at the hibernating Chaos flesh engulfing Johnny, the forsaken eye fast asleep, resting on Johnny's chest.

Dusk crept up on them this night, but Larz refused to stop. He consistently urged them on, proclaiming if they stopped, Chaos would get a leg up on them. I'bsa was getting tired and started to trail behind. Xander kept looking behind at I'bsa, shifting Johnny's dead weight on his shoulders. He was growing impatient with every step. He signed up for the Imperial Guard to be the best he could be and to be held up by a scrawny little kid was about to send him over the edge.

'Damnit Wade! I swear if you don't hurry up I'm…'

'Leave him alone Xander!' Larz cut him off with a low growl. 'I know we have to make it back, but I guess we can take a short rest. I see a small ditch up ahead. We'll break there and then continue immediately after.'

Xander muttered under his breath and shifted Johnny to his other shoulder. I'bsa dragged himself up towards Larz and nearly collapsed when they reached the ditch. Larz helped I'bsa into the ditch and propped his feet up onto a small rock. Xander hopped in and tossed Johnny aside, then pulled his lasgun up and began to scout the area. Johnny rolled down the ditch like a mangled corpse.

'Jesus Xander, he's still alive…not some piece of trash!'

Xander turned and glared at Larz, then turned back into his scope, mumbling curses under his breath. Larz shook his head and looked down at I'bsa's feet. His boots were worn through. Blisters were beginning to form on his heels and ankles. Larz knew I'bsa would have problems getting back to base with his present situation. I'bsa gazed into Larz's eyes and read his facial expressions clearly.

'I'm not gonna make it, am I?' His eyes began to water. Yet, Larz shook his head and forced a smile.

'No kiddo. You're going to be just fine. We're all going to make it home, and when we do, we're going to get you fixed up and you'll be playing and running around with all the other kids.'

Truth-be-told, Larz had doubts that he, let alone the others, will make it home alive. The thought alone scared him. He wanted the madness to end. He wanted to be a carefree kid again…but that day would never return. His childhood came to an abrupt end when his family received word that his father perished in his last campaign, leaving Larz as the man of his household at 8 years old.

Johnny tossed and turned on the ground, causing Larz to jump and Xander to turn and take aim at the convulsing body. The chaotic eye shot open on Johnny's chest, a wicked gaze aimed at the three boys. Larz grabbed I'bsa's head and shielded his eyes with his hands. He barked over to Xander to turn away, knowing the stare of something so vile would corrupt even the toughest psykers of the Imperium. However, Xander paid no attention. He wanted to be the "top dog" of the Cadian 71st and he wasn't about to listen to some no-spine, jellyfish of a trooper.

The eye darted over to Xander, almost laughing, taunting Xander into a staring contest. Xander's pupils dilated as telepathic images of heresy, corrupt thoughts, and the vilest things known to man slammed into his not yet fully developed brain. The eye coerced Xander to lower his weapon, and Xander followed the order like a lap dog. Larz opened one eye and looked over at Xander and shouted to him.

'Xan! Xander, what in the name of God-Emperor are you doing! Aw geez Xan, I told you not to stare at it! Snap out of it! That's an order!'

Xander paid no attention still as he dragged himself toward the eye. Johnny's body twitched every-so-often as the eye breathed in and out. It called to Xander, persuading him to come ever so closer. The twisted thoughts pierced through his brain with each step. A crooked grin slowly drew over Xander's face as he slowly raised a hand out toward Johnny's body.

'I can feel it…the power…it's so great. It says it can tell me everything I've ever wanted to know…give me the power to see into the future, live forever…if I can only…'

'Xander!' Larz cut Xander's train of thought, 'It's a lie! A big fat lie!'

Xander turned, his face twisted and slightly warped. 'Shut it will ya? You aren't my boss.'

'I am acting field commander and you will do as I say. Otherwise you will face charges and stand trial in front of the Emperor himself!' Larz was pulling anything out of his head just so Xander would stop and listen. He knew what he said was a lie itself, but maybe it would work. Xander cackled and smirked.

'Oh no, I'm so scared…ha!'

Xander continued to laugh as he stared at Larz, standing inches from Johnny's body. The eye blinked and almost instantly propelled a tentacle-like arm through Xander's chest. Xander's laughter stopped as his body went into an instant shock. Larz looked up as he covered I'bsa with his jacket, telling him not to look. Xander's eyes were white and gazed in horror as the tentacle seemed to suck the life out of Xander. Xander went limp, his body a rag doll. It was too late. Xander couldn't be saved.

The tentacle raised Xander's lifeless body, tossing it away like yesterday's trash, coiling around Johnny's arm. Larz whimpered as he held I'bsa close. I'bsa tilted his head and quivered in fear as he glanced over at Johnny's body. He knew Johnny wasn't in there anymore. Hope was dwindling to save Johnny after each day past. There were only two remaining from the 71st Cadian Youth Corp. and one Chaos weapon. The enemy was on their tail and the boys knew the enemy would stop at nothing until they got their weapon back.

To be Continued.