The room is filled with the incoherent shouts of men. The men, each dressed in the uniform of the Armaggedon Steel Legion, are shouting at one man who sits in the front of the room. The seated man sits with his legs crossed and simply waits as the others shout at him.
"We're getting creamed out there!" One of the men shouts over the others.
"How long till we get reinforcements from Armaggedon?" Another shouts.
The seated man stays silent as the shouts get more aggressive and become louder.
"Cowards!" One man shouts at another.
"You callin me a coward, you underhive bastard!"
The two men engage in a fistfight, and soon, the entire room descends into a brawl. Gas masks are broken, and blood is spilled on the clean metal floor. The foldable steel chairs that were meant for sitting are now being used as weapons.
The seated man lets out a sigh and stands up. He heads for the door and leaves the room. In almost an instant, he returns to the room with a woman who wears the commissar's greatcoat. She takes one look at the brawl that is going on and lets out a sigh. She takes out her bolt pistol and aims it at the roof of the room and fires a shot.
The bolt rings throughout the room, stopping the brawl mid-fight. All of the men quietly stand at attention from their respective positions and gently put the chairs back in their original places. Like church mice, they quietly sit in the chairs and face forward.
"Children." The woman roars. She leaves the room as hastily as she arrived, leaving the man in front alone.
"Thank you, Commissar, Rebecca!" The man in front shouts through the now-closed door. "Now, then let us go over the battle plan."
One of the seated men raises his hand.
"Yes, Commander Hel," The man in front asks.
Commander Hel stands up, his faded yellow trenchcoat bearing a splatter of blood, and his goggles shattered.
"As Commander Kyiv said, we are getting creamed out there. The orcs are too plentiful, and the fact that their allied with the Dark Eldar is making our lives a living hell out there." Hel says disparately.
"Your concern is noted." The man in front says. "Anyway, onto the battle plan."
Commander Hel sits down, cursing under his breath.
"The High Commander wants Hel to assist our Eldar allies in transporting their troops to the frontline." The man in front says.
"Why me?" Hel asks.
"I don't know why you specifically, but it might be because your chimera has just finished being repaired." The man in front says. "It took one hell of a beating when you engaged the orcs."
"Anything else the High Commander needs of me," Hel says, standing up and heading the door.
"No. He wants you to leave immediately, though. So may the Emperor watch over you." The man in front says. "Now then the rest of you lot-"
Hel leaves before he can hear the rest of what the man in front had to say. He heads towards a large garage. Inside the garage are vehicles of many shapes the sizes. Vehicles such as chimeras and Leman Russ tanks. In the back of the garage lies a half-constructed baneblade, the massive behemoth sitting dormant as tech-priests hammer away at it.
Hel makes it to a particular Chimera, with two men relaxing outside of it, and stops just in front of it. The Chimera has the numbers "191" printed on the side of it. Hel ignores the two men and rubs his hand against the numbers.
"So, do we have a new mission?" The shortest of the men asks
"You know we have a new mission Cas." The other man responds.
"Wasn't talking to you, Will," Cas says, standing on top of the Chimera.
Will lets out a scoff. "Well, Hel, whats the mission this time? More orcs, I hope."
Hel lets out a sigh. "What did I say about when addressing me in the garage."
"Always present ourselves in the best way possible in case the commissar comes around." Both Cas and Will say sarcastically.
Cas jumps off the top of the tank and lands on the ground below with a stumble. Will gets out of his chair and puts down his magazine. Both men stand at attention in front of Hel.
Both men are in white tanks tops with the Astra Militarium sigil printed on the front. Cas's tank top has been adjusted so that his stomach is exposed. Cas and Will both have their helmet and gas masks on hiding their faces. Will's skin is a pale white, while Cas's skin is a dark mocha color.
"Cas"
"And Will"
"Reporting for duty." Both men say, putting up a salute.
"At ease boys," Hel says
"So, what's the mission, Hel?" Cas says, lowering his salute. "Hopefully, something including the Dark Eldar."
Hel walks over to Cas and puts a hand on his head. The much shorter guardsman lets out a small growl, which Hel completely ignores. "Unfortunately, not so much this time."
"Are you serious?" Will interrupts. "Whats the High Commander thinking?"
"Obviously something more important than our petty revenge Will," Hel says, lifting his hand off Cas's helmet. "How have repairs gone on 191?"
Will lets out a sigh as the sound of someone tripping is heard from behind 191. Metallic footsteps follow the loud crash, and a female tech priest appears in front of the men. She walks directly past Will and stands directly in front of Hel. She wears the bright red cloak of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and an enormous claw stands upright from her back. In her mechanical hands, she wields a power ax that seemingly towers over her.
"Repairs are going slowly Hel." The enginseer says. "Your recklessness nearly cost the Imperium one of its most holy machines."
"Uh-huh," Hel responds.
The enginseer squints her one biological eye. "You must take this seriously, Hel. The machine spirit told me it doesn't want to work with you anymore."
"Uh-huh."
She starts to pout and looks at Cas, whose arms are folded. "You must understand the importance of the machine spirits concern."
Cas points to himself. "Me?" He asks, confused.
"Yes, you. As the driver of this holy machine, you must understand the importance of appeasing the machine spirit."
Cas looks to Hel, who gives him a shrug. "Uh yeah, sure. The machine spirit should be appeased...I guess."
A smile appears on the enginseer's face. "Finally, a biological who understands the weight of this situation."
Will lets out a small chuckle. "Congrats, Cas, you achieved the impossible. You somehow connected with our enginseer."
"Fuck off, Will," Cas says, climbing back onto the Chimera and disappearing into it.
Hel looks at the enginseer and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Abigail, can you tell the machine spirit that we are sorry and that we promise to be less reckless in the future."
Abigail looks at Hel then too the Chimera. "I will try Hel, but I make no promises; it will accept your apology."
"An attempt is all I'm asking for."
Abigail gives a nod to Hel and walks towards the back of the Chimera and disappears inside it.
"Will, how long till we're ready to depart?"
Will walks over to his chair and sits in it. "Hard to say with the repairs still ongoing." He scratches the back of his neck. "We already stocked up on ammo and provisions for an elongated battle, and the tank is already full. I would say for about an hour."
"Good then, we can keep to schedule and leave asap," Hel says more to himself than Will.
Will gives a nod then picks up the magazine from underneath him. The latest issue of "Busty Gas Masks," which showcases female Steel Legion troops clad in skimpy outfits. Will opens it up and quietly studies it.
Hel looks at him and walks over to where he is sitting and roughly grabs the magazine from him.
"C'mon Hel, that's the latest issue!" Will says despondently.
"Imagine if the Commisar saw you looking at this...this….filth," Hel growls. "It would be one bolt to the head it would."
"Aww c'mon Hel whens the last time the Commisar's been to the garage. Never is the answer to that question. Never."
"Doesn't matter."
Before Will can respond, Abigail comes rushing up the two. "Repairs are finished, Hel. The machine spirit is willing to give your crew another chance at driving it."
"Good," Hel says confidently. "You can tell the machine spirit that he has our word; we will bring him back home safely."
"..."
"What is it, Abigail? It looks like you want to say something?" Hel asks
"The machine spirit requested that you call it her."
"Our spirit is female?" Hel questions. "We've been in this machine for a decade, and just now, it tells us its female."
"The spirit said it didn't believe it would survive this long with its current crew."
Hel facepalms. "Alright, I'll take that as a compliment on our abilities." He looks to Will. "Let's saddle up its time to go."
"Roger that," Will says, getting out of his chair and kicking it over.
Will is the first to climb onto the Chimera and disappear into it. Hel follows soon after.
The inside of 191 is cramped, to say the least. Her interior consists of three seats, two right next to each other by the turret and one below serving as the driver seat. She bears a multilaser which the gunner operates as well as a heavy bolter which the driver can use in emergencies. There isn't much space to stretch one's legs, and her fuel tank lies just below the Commander and Gunner's seat. Cas is already in his position below in the driver's seat.
"Took you guys long enough," Cas says smugly.
"Yeah, well, Hel and I were just talking about how much of a prick you are. So yeah, it took a while." Will shoots back.
"Hel, is that true?"
"Yeah, it's true," Hel says, readjusting himself in his seat. His legs are too long for the confines of the Chimera, so they rest on the back of Cas's chair. "Take us out when you're ready."
"Understood Hel," Cas says, pulling a lever that activates the engine.
191 spurs to life as the engine turn on. She spits out black smoke from her exhaust as she roars to life.
Hel turns in his seat and activates the vox-caster behind him. "This is 191. Permission to leave the garage."
"This is Command. Permission granted." A voice echoes back.
"You heard the man lets get going," Hel says, turning back in his chair.
"191 rollin!" Cas shouts as 191 moves forward.
The treads of 191 move quickly down the runway of the garage. She stops at the massive front gate that separates the outside from the garage. Slowly but surely, the gate opens for 191. The gate completely opens, showering 191 in the glow of the setting sun. 191 charges headfirst, like a dog chasing a bone, out of the garage. Her treads crush the grass beneath her as she pushes forward.
As she moves forward, she passes other buildings of the Imperial Guard, such as barracks and another garage. She approaches another massive gate, this one leading outside the outpost. She comes to a haggard halt in front of the entrance. The gate stays closed as she gently inches closer and closer to it.
"Stop that, Cas," Hel says, annoyed.
"Sorry. I just hate waiting."
The gates finally open, leading to a vast open space of lush grass and farmland. There is a dirt road leading away from the walls that separate the outpost from the outside.
"So this is a Feudal World," Will says, peering through the scope of the multilaser.
"A far cry from our homeworld," Hel says.
"You can say that again," Cas says in response.
"Anyway lads enough staring. Push forward." Hel commands.
"Pushin forward," Cas responds.
191 chugs along the dirt road. As she moves forward, she passes denizens dressed in simple clothing very much, unlike the uniform of her crew. These people wave at her as she passes. 191 pushes forward faster as if to ignore the waving hands. Her engine roars as she drives, and black smoke bellows through her exhaust. Eventually, she slows down, just in time for the road to finish and the waving hands to become a passing memory.
Cas takes his hands off the levers and sits back in his chair.
"Alright, Hel, we're clear of friendly territory. What now?" Cas says, turning around in his chair to face Hel.
"Our mission is to transport some Eldar troops to the frontlines. So we're going to head to the Eldar HQ and pick up their troops, I suppose."
"One question."
"What is it, Will?" Hel asks
"Whats an Eldar?"
Hel looks at Will who's expression is covered, but Hel can tell when Will is confused or not. "An Eldar? Well, that's simple…."
"Alright, so lay it on us, Commander," Cas interjects.
"Gimme a sec, I'm trying to think here."
"Do you know what an Eldar is?"
Hel thinks for a bit. He looks up to see that both Will and Cas are looking at him. "Alright Alright, I don't know what an Eldar is."
"So what the fuck are we picking up then?" Cas says, turning back around.
"I dunno, we will see. Just start heading in the direction of the frontlines, and we'll just say we transported their troops." Hel says
"So we're just shirking orders. That's totally going to sit well with the commissar." Will says sarcastically. "Might as well dig our graves now. Where do you want yours Cas."
"I want mine next to 191."
"Good choice. What about you, Hel? I personally think I want to be buried in this world. Somewhere in a nice grassy spot." Will says happily.
"Stop it, Will," Hel says, annoyed. "We aren't shirking orders, and we're not dying. At least by the commissar's bolt. We're just….renavigating orders."
Will looks at Hel. "Renavigating? Yup, Cas, we're dead men might as well convert to Chaos at this point."
Cas stifles a laugh. Hel knocks Will on the head, making a thunk sound as his fist hits the metal helmet.
"Cas push on to the frontline."
"Understood Commander."
Cas puts his hands back on the levers, and 191 roars back to life from her sleep. She pushes forward towards the frontline. Her treads roll over the grassy plain as she heads north. As she moves, the grass becomes more and more sparse and is replaced by rocky crags. However, the rocks do not inhibit her treads, and she goes over them as if they were grass. She continues this way for what seems to be an eternity. In reality, it has been 3 hours. As if spooked by something, 191 comes to a complete halt.
"Cas what's wrong," Hel says.
"Will, did you see that?" Cas whispers.
"Yeah, I did, Cas."
"Enemies?" Hel says seriously.
"Maybe Hel. Didn't get a good look."
"What did you see then."
"Maybe a wounded animal? What about you, Cas?"
"Looked like a wounded person in my eyes."
Hel thinks to himself. "Who wants to go check?"
Will and Hel both look at Cas.
"Fuck off, I'm not going out there."
"Cas get your ass out there." Hel commands
"Gimme your bolt pistol, and I'll go."
"No. That's mine. You can go grab a lasgun from the back."
"You really goin to send me out there with a flashlight?" Cas asks incredulously.
"Don't worry, we'll cover you." Hel comforts.
"You might as well just shoot me now."
"Don't tempt me."
"Alright Alright, I'm goin."
Cas opens up the front turret of 191. He squeezes out of the driver seat and makes it outside 191. He walks along the side of it and places a hand against 191's hull. He sneaks around the back and opens the hatch leading into the cargo hold. The hatch falls down, and Cas goes inside and picks up a lasgun hanging from the ceiling of the hold. He checks the bat pack then readies the lasgun.
Hel pops up from the Commander's hole and gives Cas a nod, to which Cas nods in response. Hel points towards a crater left by an artillery shell from a while back. Cas nods and sneaks his way towards it, staying low to the ground as he approaches. As he reaches the crater, he slows down to a snail's pace. Will from inside the Chimera faces the turret of 191 towards the hole, and Hel points his bolt pistol towards the crater.
In an instant, Cas jumps over the ledge of the crater and points his gun at the wounded thing in the crater. He lowers his weapon.
"By the Emperor! You scared me." Cas says to the wounded thing.
The wounded thing is a woman with red hair done up in a bun. She wields a blade in one hand and wears armor resembling a material like bone. She grasps her stomach with one hand. She points her sword at Cas, who lowers his lasgun in response.
"What do you want, monkeigh."
"Strange thing to call another human," Cas says humorously. "Wheres your squad?"
"If you mean my escort, then they were killed."
"Damn, that sucks. Well, do you want to come with us?"
"And why would I go with you, monkeigh."
"Uh, cause your alone. Duh. Besides, we're heading to the frontline anyway, so you might be assigned a new squad."
"I do not need a new squad, idiot." The woman hisses.
"Are you a deserter?" Cas says, readying his lasgun. "Cause if you are, I might as well finish you off now and save us both the trouble."
"Wait!" She says. Her face becomes confused. "Do you know what I am?"
"Yeah, obviously, another human." Cas shrugs. "So are you coming with us or do I have to put you down."
The woman stands up and weakly limps over to Cas. He puts his lasgun in one hand and wraps his arm around the woman so that she can use him as a crutch. They both exit the crater and face 191.
"Who's that?" Hel shouts to Cas.
"I don't know! A lost guardswoman, I think!" Cas shouts back.
"Whats a guardsman doing this far from the frontline," Will asks Hel quietly.
"I don't know, but their a comrade nonetheless," Hel whispers back, lowering his bolt pistol. "This is a good time to take a break, huh?"
"Yeah, I believe that's a good idea," Will says, climbing out of 191.
Hel follows suite and climbs out of 191 and jumps off her top and onto the ground below. Will follows Hel and jumps off 191. Cas and the woman both make it too 191, and all four of them face each other.
Hel is the first one to extend a gloved hand towards the woman. "Commander Hel of the Armageddon 312th Steel Legion. What's your name and rank?"
The woman looks at Hel's hand and begrudgingly takes hold of it daintily. "Kelkae. Warlock."
"Warlock? Never heard of it." Hel says, letting go of her hand. He looks to Will and Cas. "Must be one of those high up ranks."
Cas and Will nod in quiet agreement. Will is the first to leave the group and head towards the back of 191. Cas is the first to open up his trenchcoat revealing his tank top.
"Cas!" Hel shouts.
"What?"
"Please. There's a superior around." Hel tries to whisper but ends up shouting.
"Right. Right." Cas says, buckling his trenchcoat.
Will comes back with a foldable chair and unfolds it in front of Kelkae. "Please sit," Will says quietly but loud enough for her to hear. Before she can respond, Will heads to the back of 191 again.
Kelkae looks at the chair and cautiously sits down. Hel finds a nice rock and takes a seat on it. Cas does the same. Will comes back a few seconds later with a box. He places it in front of Hel, who opens the box to reveal stacks of dried meat.
"Thank the Emperor for Feudal Worlds." Hel prays.
"Thank the Emperor." Will and Cas both pray.
The trio looks at Kelkae. "T-Thank the Emperor." She stutters out.
Hel is the first to remove his gas mask. Underneath the mask is a handsome face matching his position as Commander. He is clean-shaven, and his skin is a pale white. His eyes are a bright blue, and a scar runs down his mouth. His hair is blonde and curls at the ends.
"I meant to ask…." Cas starts as he looks at Kelkae. "What's with the ears? That some sort of mutation?"
"Cas!" Hel says through his teeth.
"No, it's fine," Kelkae says. She thinks for a bit. "Yes, it's a mutation."
Cas brightens up. "Seriously!" He looks up at the sky. "Thank the Emperor I'm not the only one."
Cas quickly takes off his gas mask. His eyes are bright green, and his skin is a mocha brown. His most surprising feature is the fact that half his mouth is exposed to the air. His teeth are completely exposed on one side, and the skin surrounding it has been shrunken away. His hair is dark and straight.
"See, we're the same!" Cas says gleefully.
"Cas calm down!" Hel shouts.
Cas shrinks as he takes a piece of dried meat from the box and chews on it. Some of the bits of beef fall from his mouth as he eats.
Will is the last to take off his mask. Just like Hel, he is quite handsome. He is clean-shaven as well and has green eyes like Cas. His hair is a blonde mess and curls at the ends.
"If you couldn't tell. Yes. We are biological brothers." Will says.
Kelkae immediately looks at Cas.
"He's a mutation," Hel says.
"I can see that," Kelkae says, picking up a piece of dried meat. She inspects it and looks at the trio. All three of them are comping down at the meat quickly. "Are you starving?"
"Nah. We just don't get meat very often," Will responds.
"Yeah, they usually feed us mystery bars," Cas says, sucking on another piece of meat. "Pure meat is a rarity."
"We don't live very long, so we gotta make the best with what we got," Hel says, picking up some meat.
"I see," Kelkae says, taking a small nibble of the meat. She smiles as the dry, yet somehow salty taste goes down her throat. "It's good."
"Isn't it?" Hel says.
The quad continues chomping on the meat until the box is empty. Will takes the box and throws it into the crater. Kelkae gets up from the chair to which Will takes it and puts it back in 191. Cas is the first to head back inside 191. As he enters, the engine roars back to life.
"Well, we're going to head out now," Hel says to Kelkae. "You can sit in the back. There's plenty of space."
"As you say," Kelkae says as she enters the cargo hold of 191.
Will and Hel both enter 191 in their respective positions.
"Alright. Let's head out!"
191 roars in agreement and pushes forward. She drives as the sun wanes, and the moon takes control.