The next morning everyone was allowed to sleep in late. They weren't disturbed until at least 07:00 Imperial when Reynolds' voice ordered everyone up and in the mess hall in fifteen minutes or he'd have late arrivals shot.
As sleepy eyed men slowly entered the mess hall, they got themselves some breakfast and sat down, trying not to fall asleep in their soup, or dribble their coffee. Eventually Torch stood up on one of the tables and quieted everyone, which was a relatively simple task.
"Right troops, if anyone discloses what I'm about to tell you, you'll have to answer to me personally, and Reynolds here if he thinks his bolt pistol will be useful after I'm done with you. Now then, formalities aside, as of last month, we've been travelling with this fleet here to take back a planet which I won't name for security purposes, but which has been under the control of chaos for too long and gives them a secondary exit from the eye of terror. We, along with our allies, have been dispatched to take that planet back. The 29th Cadian itself, has been ordered to eliminate their commanders. Kill the head and the body will fall and all that. This is going to be a very difficult mission, we'll be up against the best chaos can offer, but I have the greatest faith that we can pull it off."
There was a rousing cheer from the audience.
"Good, I want you all prepped and …" the ship shuddered and listed slightly, "You feel that. We're in system and ready to launch our attack. Everyone get your equipment and meet us at the hangar in twenty, go!"
There was an immediate commotion as everyone hurried off to grab their equipment and suit up.
The first into the hangar was Garius with Todd close behind. They found Ephassus already there. Next in was Grade, then Cassie and Hector, followed closely by Reynolds. Torch and Sturm walked in soon after, Zariel right behind.
"Everyone here?" Torch asked.
"Where's Ryan," Sturm asked. Everyone shrugged.
"Someone go find him," Reynolds said, getting angry at the delay.
"I'll go," Zariel said, jogging off.
Ryan was sitting alone in his room at the edge of his bed. The lights were off but there was a slight azure glow. It seemed to be coming from Ryan's eyes.
What do you want?
To warn you.
So what, you want to keep me safe now is that it?
Fool, you realise I would have to find another host if you were to die, and that vile psyker makes that an impossible option.
You're not making any points here.
Quiet! Chaos surrounds you. You are like a beacon in the warp, you have no idea the effort I expend keeping the daemons of the warp away from you.
Oh and I'm supposed to be grateful?
You are supposed to listen!
Go on.
Your old friend, the one you called; Outlander. His daemon is here, he speaks to me at this very moment. He has grown rather fond of your little … warring party.
Well tell him thanks but I don't go in for that kind of stuff.
Enough! He has been accompanying those you are supposed to kill, your mission, if successful will surely tip the balance of power play among my master and his rivals. He tells me information that no one else knows. And I shall divulge this information to you; in time.
Why not tell me now and be done with it.
Hehehah, it is not time yet, learn patience. I must go.
There was a knock at the door.
"Ryan? It's Zariel, everyone's waiting for you," Zariel said.
Ryan snapped out of his trance, "Uh … yeah I'll be right there."
"Is there something you want to tell me?" Zariel asked.
Ryan paused for a moment, then said, "Maybe later."
Ryan hurried out after Zariel.
"Well, well. It's so nice of you to drop in, why don't you take some tea and then maybe we can, GO KISS THE EMPEROR'S FRAKKING FEET!" Reynolds shouted as Ryan entered.
"Wait a minute commissar," Torch said, "Before we arrange a firing squad for the corporal, lets at least find out why he's late."
"Alright then," Reynolds said, "Why you late?"
Ryan went up to Torch and quietly said, "It came and told me it's got information that's vital for this mission."
Torch eyed Ryan for a moment, deciding what to do. On the one hand, insider information could come in handy, but on the other, this was a frakking daemon, whether or not they were fighting in its interests, they couldn't really trust it.
"So?" Reynolds said.
Torch struggled, deciding what to do, then he turned to Reynolds and said, "Excuse accepted … lets get moving."
Reynolds grunted and moved off to address the crowd.
"Right listen up lady and gents. The main assault is to be launched within the next 36 hours, give or take. Other than that, all we know is that we have until then to do all the damage we can. Remember that anything beyond our own mission is classified in the event that any of us are captured, so unfortunately that's all we know. Now we're going to separate into three groups, move off as I read your names:
Garius, Todd, Hector and Cassie, you're with Grade.
Sturm, Zariel, Ryan; Torch will be heading you.
Knoff, Adams, Ephassus, with me.
Tempest and Nova have already gone to check out the area, in case you were wondering, my team will be meeting them at our landing point.
Three separate teams. Three separate transports. Three separate landing zones. Three times the chance of one team surviving and completing our mission. Once we make landfall, we'll link up at a designated rendezvous point where we can move out and complete our mission. Any questions … good lets go!"
Everyone piled into their assigned transports and launched off.