A/N: Disclaimer in first chapter. Hey folks I've got an image for the story, thanks to GordonFreeguy for allowing me to use it, check out his/hers page on DA. I would also like to thank Master of the Boot for his reviews. Now onto the story, this time it's going to be another non-action packed chapter. Don't expect much of those for another three or four chapters.

Also what is the correct spelling of 'Esscleshearcy'?

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759969. M41. Ultima Segmentum- Zodiac Sector- The Holy Santo- Enroot to Space Fortress Holis

Kaci panted as she ran in the gymnasium. Her and her platoon were running laps around in long kilometer circles in the hold, now gymnasium, in The Holy Santo. She like every other trooper was wearing full battle armor and carried heavy wooden versions of their weapons on their slings and belts. All of this was looked over by a Kriegan lieutenant put in charge of training her company beyond the standard of what was expected of the PDF. Her platoon wasn't the only one in the gymnasium, the other platoons of third company, of the second Vulpine regiment were also running, crawling and jumping over obescal courses.

"Get moving trooper!" A Kriegan soldier shouted at a Vulpine conscript behind Kaci." Yes sir!" He responded and moved faster. Kaci shook her head, she was an actual trooper not a conscript volunteer. Only one of a thousand in her regiment and one of ten thousand in her tithe. The remaining fifteen thousand PDF troopers back on Vulpine had stayed, so that they could rebuild the depleted ranks of the defense force for the next time that Vulpine had to pay up.

As it was one hundred thousand members of the old PDF force, most of which were just trained troopers, were crossing through the warp to the Ramiles class Starfortress Holis. Where they would link up with the First Zodiac Army Group on The Great Crusader, then assigned to their first warzone. The prospect filled her with both dread and excitement, excitement because she was going into combat again and dread… because she was going into combat again. Kaci knew that it was more exciting than a desk job, filling out reports till her hand cramped, but still there came a point when dodging bullets lost their luster. There was also that fact that she probably would die if sent to a death world or catch a stubber in the chest if she was sent to a trench conflict, assaulting over muddy ground. But that was a life of an Imperial Guardswoman, a life she had volunteered to after the riots and before hand when she joined the PDF.

She remembered her time with the sisters. The sisters had taught the other girls and boys about their duty to the Emperor and his Imperium. That was to serve Him on Earth in what ever manner that would benefit His Imperium. To serve was simply to make parts for an auto-carriage, to make sure that a payroll was properly paid out or to kill His enemies. There were hundreds of ways to serve the Emperor, but she had decided to serve as a Guardswoman. Kaci had her regrets about her choice, she was more than never going to see her world again, she was going to die on some alien world never seeing her friends again and she may of killed her boyfriend back in the riots….

The last fact had given her the most grief. She and Kath were drifting apart before the riots, always asking her to leave the PDF and not to join with the Guard. Their relationship was effectively over by the time he said he was joining the protestors. But still he was her first boyfriend and that made him special, though he was leading propaganda against the planets government. To say the least she still had mixed emotions of her choices in life.

"Company halt and assemble by me." A flat emotionless voice ordered, it was of the Kriegan lieutenant. Kaci stopped, a guardsman running into her back when he didn't stop running soon enough." Sorry." He apologized. Kaci didn't even respond and instead righted her self, though a Kriegan trooper did order." Silence in the ranks." The guardsman, Kaci, their platoon and then their company formed up in front of the lieutenant. The lieutenant was then backed up by two squads of Krieger's behind him, even the captain had to face him.

"I've just received a notice from Lord-Commissar Danolov Bracket regarding your company." There was a moment of silent worry throughout the Guardsmen, if the Commissar was involved then wasn't anything good that could come of it. Not for this company anyway. The lieutenant opened up a letter that was in his hands and began to read." I Lord-Commissar Danolov Bracket request an audience with Private Harian Joaks and Corporal Kaci Narabi, they are to report at my office now. May the Emperor light your way. That is all."

Kaci gulped and looked around, she could see glances in her direction from the rest of her platoon. She had no idea why she was being called out, she didn't say anything against her current predicament, nor did she do anything of note since she arrived on the ship. Maybe something in her past? Had the Lord-Commissar found out about her relationship with Kath and the fact that he was a rioter? But why would he do that when her regimental commissar would do be a better choice?

"Corporal Narabi step forward and report to the Lord-Commissar's office." It was Lieutenant Nelvan who gave the order, she complied. Further down the line in another platoon another trooper was called out.' That must be Joaks.' She thought as she walked to the gyms exit, under the gaze of her company." Company return to training." The Kriegan lieutenant ordered and the company was disbanded into small platoons again, led by the veteran Kriegers.

Kaci took off her wooden weapons and left them at the door, having just missed Harian, who left his own training weapons at the door. When she opened the exit she found herself in front of a Kriegan guardsman." I'm to escort you to Lord-Commissar Brackets office, Corporal Narabi." As with every other Krieger his voice was emotionless and flat." What about Private Joaks?" Kaci asked." Guardsman 96-784 already took him to see the commissar. I'm here to escort you now."

"Lead the way then." She told him. The guardsman turned on his heel and began walking down the ship's corridor. As she walked she thought about questioning the guardsman, but discarded the notion immediately. The Krieger was more than likely just ordered to fetch her and knew nothing more, most likely because he didn't inquire further. It was a trait she and her company had found out about over the past week was that the Krieg never inquired, they just gave and received orders. They were hardly human… more like fully human servitors.

Instead of dwelling on the inhumanity of the Kreig, she thought instead of the Lord-Commissar. She had never met him, but had seen him twice. The first time when she was sworn in, that was from a pic-caster. He struck her as being young for the position at the time, only looking a few years older than her. When she voiced that thought to her fellow guardsmen they discussed it till one of them suggested that the commissar had undergone re-juv therapy, it seemed the most likely explanation and she and the other troopers agreed to it.

The second time Kaci had seen Bracket was much closer. Yesterday she and her platoon were walking down the corridor to the shooting range when they rounded a bend and saw the commissar walking away from the range. She saw that he walked with a limp, his right leg heavier and thumping like metal whenever he took a step. Up close she could see scars that the pic-caster couldn't pick up, like the faint outline of a scar running down his check or a dime sized hole in his throat. But the most shocking thing about him wasn't his body, but what was walking next to him.

It was a child, dressed in a brown t-shirt and green cargo pants. At his hip was a holstered las-pistol in a handmade leather holster that looked at least a hundred years old. The boy had many similar features with Danolov, the same eyes, same facial structure and could have been his son… if not for three details. Firstly he had dark grey hair, in contrast to Brackets light brown. Secondly he had ears, ears similar to a Vulpine, except they were the same color as the boys hair. Thirdly he had a tail, it wasn't a fox tail, it was bent and was of a solid dark grey unlike the vulpine own red and white tails.

Bracket stopped the conversation with the child and saluted the guardsmen as they passed by each other, the platoon returned the salute and the child did so at the same time mimicking the motion. As soon as the moment came it passed, leaving behind fifty very confused guardsmen and women as to what was the child?

About twenty minutes later, after walking a kilometer they arrived at the Commissars office, a Kriegan trooper was waiting outside of the door. Kaci's Kriegan took up the same position as 'at ease' next to the first one. Her Kriegan said." It will be a few moments, the Commissar is conducting an interview."

"About what?" Asked the fox girl." Can't say corporal, the commissar didn't elaborate." Her Kriegan told her.' Of course not.' She remembered again that the Death Korps never questioned, just did as told. Kaci leaned against the metal paneling behind her and instead of watching the pair of troopers she turned to focused on the ship's corridor. It felt… strange, yes she had been more cramp conditions, a chimera being one of them, the hall way she was standing in being wide enough for a chimera to race down. No it was the fact that she was standing in a metal box, while with a chimera she would be in one for only a few hours at maximum, here she was stuck with no sun light, no trees, not even rockcrect let alone dirt under her boots. Then there was the fact that only a few feet of steel and void shields were protecting her and her army from the horrors of the warp….

After twenty minutes of waiting, the door finally open and Harian walked out. He was a fennec type of vulpine and had a look of relief on his face while he left the office, he looked at Kaci and smiled." Best of luck corporal… you're going to need it." Then, before Kaci could reply, Harian's Kriegan was leading the fennec away back to the third company. Kaci's Kriegan said." The Commissar will see you now." Kaci walked forwards to the door, she took her helmet off her head, letting her neck length blonde hair down, then put the helmet under her left arm. She took a deep breath before opening the door and walking in.

" Corporal Kaci Narabi, reporting sir." She said as she came to a halt in front of the Lord-Commissar, who was doing paperwork and didn't even look up or say anything to register her. Kaci didn't know what to say or do, so she stood watching the commissar, while not making a sound. This close up she could now examine him instead of doing so from afar or just at a glance in the hallways. She could see that he had a physical tic already, his right leg boot was tapping against the metal floor of the Spartan office, the leg making clanging sound each time it tapped the floor. There was something else as well, on his ears were headphones attached to a small plasteel box on his desk no bigger than the palm of her hand, she could just make out the sound of music coming from the headphones. On his desk was also piles of papers stacked a foot high at the lowest and two feet at the highest, she could also make out a trio of picture frames but couldn't make out what was on them….

"Take a seat corporal." Danolov Bracket finally said, motioning with his pen the seat in front of the desk. Kaci did so and Danolove selected a folder from one of the paper piles, he opened it and began to read." Corporal Kaci Narabi. Orphaned at birth, you were given to the Sisters of the Holy Glass to be raised in their monastery. You had only two incidents while growing up there, one involved beating another orphan when she said 'The Emperor isn't our father, we got none', which was met with approval by the sisters. The second time it was when you were 12 and slipped out of your studies to see… 'Hostla Vista' a movie staring Kar Nold in which he takes on a chaos army single handily with a shotgun, that was met with a week in a detention cell." Kaci tried to forget the later incident, but couldn't help it whenever she recited the Imperial Lobgesang, it was drilled into her head having the repeat it again and again and again… though seeing Kar Nold in action was worth it in the end.

"It also says that you volunteered at the library and was top of your class in report writing and book keeping, you were able to file paper work faster than your peers as well. After 18 years with no adopted parents you were let out of the monastery. Which right afterwards you joined the PDF, why is that?" Danolov asked, catching the fox girl off guard." Could you repeat the question sir?" She asked." I asked why did you join the PDF instead of going into an adminustratum position, like a banker or office worker, which to be frank is higher paying then that of a trooper?" He elaborated, a small smile plying at the corner of his lips.

"Um, I joined the PDF because… well I wanted to give back to the Imperium for raising me. Joining the Esscleshearcy was out of the question at the time as was joining the Minustorum. So the only chance I had to serve the Imperium was through the PDF." The commissar raised an eyebrow." So what made you come to that conclusion corporal?" Kaci had an answer waiting that time." Its because it was the only position that, should the time call for it, I was to kill heretics who invaded Vulpine sir." ' Or emerged out of hiding' she added sliently to herself as she remembered the riots and the rioters eight points….

Danolov nodded and finding the answer satisfactory, he continued on reading her profile." For 4 years you served as a model trooper and earned a small citation for your paperwork, the Honor of the Blood Finger. Then when the Tithe riots began you showed that you could handle yourself under fire and while wounded-" Kaci spoke." It was a little shrapnel sir, nothing serious." She then realized what she had done and said." Sorry sir." Danolov spoke as he wrote on a note pad." It's alright soldier don't let it happen again." He then turned back to her portfolio." You earned a promotion afterwards, to the rank of corporal. After the riots you stayed in the PDF and decided to volunteer for the Imperial Guard, which leads you to here." He put the portfolio down and leaned back, relaxing into his chair.

He looked at her, into her green eyes and asked." How do you like being in the Imperial Guard corporal? Anything you enjoy and you're free to say so, complaints so far?" It took a second for Kaci to reply, since she had to process what she had experienced with the Imperial Guard so far." Sir, I find the guard... more disciplined then say the PDF. I really didn't like the near party atosmophere the PDF had or for that matter the time that I had to play as a civilian, though I will admit that it did have its uses." 'Like getting laid after two weeks behind a desk... even a girl has her needs.' She added to herself, thinking of the good times she had with Kath before their distancing.

"So you enjoy the life of a guardswoman, any complaints?" Danolov asked, it took her longer to reply. Because of fear of the commissar, but he had said she could at least say her peace now." Um, yes. Though I understand the need to exercise and to train, I'm feeling more exhausted and more exhausted with each kilometer run or climbing up a ladder to swing from a rope. In feel more tried now than I ever did in the PDF." Again he wrote in the notepad.

"Yes corporal that happens with new recruits from a freshly made regiment. Though over time you will get used to life in the Imperial Guard, this is just to strengthen your body for the true tests ahead." He looked up at her." So are there any questions why I requested your presence and that of private Joak's?" Kaci was surprised by this, she had heard stories that commissars were suppose to be uncaring individuals, never one's to listen to the complaint's let alone questions of soldiers. Even her regimental commissar wasn't this… caring for his regiment.

"Yes sir, why am I here?" She asked, answering his question. The smile tugged at his lips again, like he was experiencing an emotion he didn't have much experience with for a long time and didn't quite know how to respond." You're here because I'm in need of a sectary." He motioned to the paper piles scattered across his desk." With the rank of Lord-Commissar I've become more or less a judge for a mobile population of 100,000. That is just your home world contingent alone corporal. The other commissars are also selecting 'intermediaries' between the regiments. But because of my status as a lord- commissar I have… shall we say first pick." He then pointed to a stack of portfolios." You are one of many I'm considering for the occupation corporal Narabi, please do not consider yourself special because of this interview."

'Well at least he's honest.' Kaci thought." Thank you sir, for explaining why I'm here. Is there anything else I can answer for you?" She asked." No corporal, I've got all the information that I need. You may be excused and return to your unit." The fox girl then stood, but there was a question she wanted to ask and this was probably the only time she might have a chance to, face to face with the commissar." Sir, permission to ask a question?" Danolov was startled by her, she had actually asked him a question of her own volition. He quickly regained his composure and asked." Yes you may corporal."

"Sir, while I and my platoon were going to the gun range yesterday, I saw that you had a child with you. He looked almost like he could be your son, but-" Danolov raised his hand to silence her and answer her question." The child is my son Julius, Narabi. I cannot explain the finer points of how he came to be, but what I can explain to you is that his mother was a Canenid and she has since gone to join at the side of the Emperors table. Does that answer your question?"

"Y-yes sir." She said, and saluted." I'll be leaving then sir." She turned to leave, shocked by the bombshell that the commissar had a child, a half zodiac child at that!

/

As Corporal Narabi closed the door behind her, Danolov smiled wide.' At last, someone who can question me.' He had entertain over twenty three prospective sectaries so far. Some were better at paper work, other worse, but each of them always had a formal attitude when it came to him.' Yes sir, no sir, havn't thought about it sir, no sir I don't have any questions.' It was like having a Kriegan sectary again. He had hoped that he would find someone, anyone, who didn't follow a straight line.

Of course there was other considerations as well instead of those who could hold a conversation. Each of the prospects was a veteran of riots, so they could kill when needed, each had been wounded in the fighting, so they understood pain and each of them had done good desk work. But the deciding factor was if they could think and ask questions. This was important, he needed opinions from a common soldier so he could understand what how a battle was going or how this or that event would affect them.

He looked back at the portfolios; yes there were more interviews to conduct, fifty or so more. But Corporal Narabi was on the short list.

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A three days later Kaci Narabi received a summons from the Lord-Commissar. She was to be Danolov Bracket's new sectary. Like most things in her life, she had mixed emotions on the prospect.