A/N: See first chapter for disclaimer. Alright folks, this is the calm and gust front before the storm. After this chapter its pure combat and I'm entering into unknown territory with sci-fi combat. Remember if you think it's to gory or violent tell me and I'll up the rating to M. I'm weary with FF.N having just decided to enforce the M-Rating and graphic content rule. Seriously, what the wrap are they thinking? They could of polled us older fans of FF.N if we wanted to no longer have the status quo or if we wanted a MA rating (which I would prefer), even for forums. Instead they have corralled our imagination instead of unleashing it. Most of my friends understand and agree with me, even the one friend that doesn't agree with me (DaFanficReveiwer on Youtube, support his videos please since he was kind enough to eventually do a review of this story) and has given good reasons why he doesn't. This has lead me to leave out some important stuff in the future for all my stories, since no lemons. *Sigh* Sorry but I need to get this out of my system but if you agree with me e-mail FF.N or sign the petition on to stop this chaos… or if you follow the dark gods stop this unprecedented Order!

Now enough of my political commentary on site, onto the story!

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030970-Suliman System-Forhul Zone-Aboard the troopship The Holy Santo

Kaci Narabi had woken up a little earlier than usual and cleaned herself up before tackling some paperwork she had she didn't finish the night before. Well night was a stretch to say the least, for the past month and half she and half a million guardsmen had been in warp space. There was no day or night in the unknown, just terran standard time on the ship. When she first got on the troop ship several months ago it took time for her to adjust to the sleep schedule aboard the vessel since it was different from her home world. But like all of humanity she had adapted to whatever situation had presented itself.

She had to even adapt to the appearance of about four hundred thousand fellow guardsmen from three other worlds. They varied from the near Vulpine, Canenids to the rat-like Ratical's and the dragonoids of Dracona. Though she preferred the company of her fellow Vulpines she had to follow her lord-commissar to strategy meetings with other lower ranking commissars and Guard commanders for the coming battle at Suliman. So far she found that they were all practically alien to her, which she no doubt the non-fur clad citizens of the Imperium would think of her.

Of the three she found the Raticals to be tolerated the most by her, but only just. The few aids she talked to, while their betters talked on the future battles, kept hitting on her, cracking jokes and talking about their times of criminality back in their hives. Who she talked to as it turned out were some of the best behaved of their regiments and only stole food for snacks or cheated at cards. There were much worse in their ranks. But they were good city fighters and used to fighting in squads and since their gangs were little larger and were stuck together. They shared some stories of their battles and she was happy to note that they were just as experienced as she was in combat.

Falling outsides of her tolerances though were the Canenids. Those aids she talked to were in a bad mood because they were away from their 'Pack' and were not used to inactivity or the blood sports that were so common on their world. Most also boasted of his or hers packs accomplishments, which by Kaci's standards, were unimpressive. Some trouble making before they joined the PDF and staged fights between regiments. The only time she was impressed was when she talked to a former female gladiator and told of her time in the arena with her old pack. She was the last of them, all her friends and two brothers were dead in the arena. She was quite animated to tell her stories, like she wanted to off load as many as she could. She was also impressed by Kaci's tales of actual military action.

The Draconan… they were quite and polite to her when she talked to them, but they never initiated any conversation. They watched with reptilian eyes, hardly ever moving. But when they did move it was graceful as were their voices. They were seemingly detached from the rest of humanity and when they talked it was of a haughty posistion. So she sat in almost silence for long hours while Bracket helped planed. It was then that she realized that the old maxim, ' Hurry up and wait', was indeed true and that she would more than likely experience it more often than not in the Emperors service.

There came a rapid knocking at the bulkhead door to the Lord-Commissars Office." Lord-Commissar Bracket!" The muffled voice practically shouted. 'That's odd… it almost sounds like a Kriegan.' Kaci thought as she stood up. She had only heard a Kriegan talk in this manner once before, that was when Corporal Instre was…. She rushed to the door and opened it. Standing in front of her was a Death Korpsman." The lord-commissar is asleep… private. I'll take whatever message that you have for him." She said, noticing that the Kriegan was panting and body posture showed that he was ragged from running.

" Corporal, The presence of the Lord-Commissar is requested immediately on the bridge. I was informed by the ship's captain that we have emerged out of warp space. But there has… been an event." The death korpsman said with a voice filled exhaustion." An event?" Kaci question." Yes, we have emerged in the Suliman system, but at the exact same time that we have left without our escorts."

'Uhoh.' The fox girl thought." I will tell him then. Would you like to sit and relax?" The trooper shook his head." No, I still has a duty to tell any other officer I can find of the situation. I was chosen for this duty because I was the fastest runner in my company. This is nothing and should I rest now then I'll be failing in my oaths of service." He then took a step back, bowed his head and ran down the hall way, to gather more officers. Kaci decided to do her duty and went to Brackets quarters.

She didn't waste any time with knocking on the door to his room, instead she opened it without any announcement. It was something that Bracket had forbade her to do since there were to be unspecified, dire consequences. ' Better to beg forgiveness then ask permission, this time.' Kaci thought before she slamed open the door." Lord-Commissar, wake up!" She yelled out into the small compartment. Unfortunately this may have been her last mistake.

"Die Traitor!" Bracket yelled, bolting up right. His hand clasped around his bolt pistol hanging from his bunk post and he whipped around to the dark shape of Kaci, silhouetted by the light of the office. The very same light blinded him and he was red eyed from lack of sleep, he pulled the trigger anyway. There was a deafening boom and the shot went above Kaci's head, the bullet penetrated the wall beyond in the office. The shell detonated beyond in the hallway, besides exploding and spraying shrapnel there wasn't anyone hurt.

Kaci dropped to the ground after the shot passed over her head." Dad! What's happening!" Julius cried out when he heard the report of his father's bolt pistol. Danolov lost the bloodlust in his eyes when he heard his son's voice, then a moment later his grip relaxed and he lowered his pistol." Sorry son." He said before turning to the figure on the floor and noticed it was Kaci after a moment." Corporal, what in the warp do you think you're doing barging in here unannounced?"

She looked up, fear in her eyes." I'm sorry my lord. But there is an emergency on the bridge that needs your attention." Kaci's voice cracked under Brackets glare." What sort of emergency caused you to barge in here?" He said with a definite coldness. She gulped and continued." A Kriegan runner from the bridge arrived and said that we have emerged from the warp in the Suliman at the exact same time we left, without our escorts."

'Shite.' Danolov thought.' Without our escorts were going to be sitting ducks for the Xeno's.' He hopped from his bunk and landed on the floor. He turned and put on his commissar cap, which looked odd with his white tee shirt and black boxers with silver aquillas." Julius, wash up and dress in your Cadian outfit. I want you to pack your duffle bag and get out your las-pistol and combat knife." Julius heard his father and understood the true urgency in his voice, an urgency he had only heard when he grew up on Wei when his father helped run the Krieg regiment. For a moment the flicker of yellow-orange suited xeno's came to mind and the feeling of running." Yep dad." He set about his task as his father slapped on his pants.

"Kaci." Bracket said." Yes sir?" She asked, still on the floor. He turned to her and rolled his eyes." Stand up and get your kit together, then wait here I'll be back later for you two." He put on his dress shirt." Of course sir." She spoke and stood. Bracket grabbed his vest, coat, sash and weapons belt, he forced his feet into his combat boots. He pushed past the fox girl, his feet fitting into his boots at last as he walked out of his office.

/

Twenty minutes later, after dressing on the run, Bracket emerged onto the bridge of the Holy Santo." Give me the situation." He said without direction or regard for who would answer it. Had he been a common commissar of lower prestige or an officer below the rank of general then he would have been left to the way side while the commanders conversed. But because of his position of Lord-Commissar he was given one of the top priorities. A midshipman approached him." My lord, do you wish for me to inform you or wait for the other officers?" Bracket nodded." Yes, tell me what you know."

"Very well." He began." Before the ship exited the warp we were in contact with our escorts, they were ready to help support the coming battle and we were still in terran standard time. But when we emerged an hour ago our escort ships were nowhere to be found and our auto-timers switched to the same time as we left Holis a month and a half ago."

'That confirms it then.' Danolov thought. Then aloud." What of the Xeno forces? Their fleet? What about the Suliman Defense Forces, any contact from them?" The midshipman nodded." Yes my lord, we have been receiving radio messages from the local PDF's, but these are not directed at us and are interworld communications. Were also receiving satellite images and are routing them to the screens on the bridge now, there is video of the xeno's fighting. So far we have picked up images of the xeno space craft."

"Can you bring up these images midshipman?" Bracket questioned." Yes sir, please follow me." The junior fleet officer led him over to a consol. He said a brief prayer to the machine sprit before activating the device. While the machine started up Bracket noticed that General Nates was in conversation with the ship's captain and other commanders of the Imperial Guard, he wondered what she was planning since she was the head commander of this Reclamation.

"Here you are sir." The midshipman stepped away from the device, allowing Bracket to take his place. Bracket looked at the screen and could see what the ships looked like. Their design were not Imperial, or the defiled shapes of chaos vessels. They did not have the graceful patterns of Eldar, or the entirely ramshackle appearance of Orks. They had the barest resemblance of Tau, being round in shape. But they were bear metal to space and had spires on the 'top' of the ships. Besides the shapes and the number, there were three 'capitols' and two of them smaller then the largest, he couldn't tell how large they were." What are their size?"

" The largest is 4 kilometers in diameter. The two smaller ones are half that size. There are also other images of much smaller ships, half a kilometer in diameter at the largest… we believe that they are the drop ships. Fighters are-" From the bridge's main screen there was a crackle and voices were heard. Heads swung to the screen as the images flickered on the pic-caster. " –Western Narod forces have eliminated enemy air support at Angelius Hive and are now counter attacking in force. Eastern Narod forces are still holding the line against 'skitters' with militia support." A tried looking man in his 60's said. He was a news caster of 'badger news' and looked as if he hadn't slept in at least a day.

There was the sound of auto-gun fire and the old man asked." How far down are they from us?" A bearly audible." Three, Will." Replied to his question. The news caster shook his head before saying." Ladies and gentle we'll keep on the air as long as possible, but as it stands right now we have less than 30 minutes left to… continue this broadcast. We're going to air the video we received from Angelius hive. I repeat this is a graphic video, watch it and learn how to kill these Xeno scum."

The screen switched away to a home vid caster. It was a gruesome sight that could leave people, untested to battle and butchery, sick. It showed a PDF sergeant and a civilian dissecting one of the Xeno invaders and it was still alive. The creature was just barely humanoid in shape, its weapon was surgically attached to its arm and it could have been taller than a human at one point, before it lost its legs. It had a head, but it looked more like a gland then a head and had absolutely no features. The two humans dissecting it cut open its body, stabbing it in the head, right breast and abdomen. From the video the sound of combat was getting closer. The female civilian pulled open the creatures chest, showing a new organ that looked like water was flowing through it.

"This is our last chance." The sergeant said looking at the video. He stabbed into the creatures organ with his bayonet, their was a spray of water from the… heart." There… that's how we kill it. A little above where the heart is." The video ended. 'Good work trooper. I don't know if you're still alive but if you are I'll pray you survive.' Bracket thought. The image changed back to Will in the news room, a auto pistol was in his hands." Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last time that I will be coming to you. While you watched the video the xeno's advanced much faster then before and are right below my feet." He sighed and turned off the safety." Estimates are that there are over 30,000,000 invaders, on our four continents there are only 10,000,000 PDF troops…. But there is over a billion citizens of the Imperium on this world, we can resist. Goodbye, the Emperor Protects." Before the stream was cut Will stood up and he yelled." You hear that you bastards, you just entered the no spin zone!" After that only static.

"Are there any other stations?" Nates asked the Tech-priest overseeing the satilite transmission from the world." Confirmed general. Other transmissions of this level though are not as favorable to Imperium as last station. Nates raised a furry eyebrow." Not as favorable? Care to give a synopsis?" She question." Yes General. The two other major transmissions are from PNN and Narod Broadcasting Company. PNN pundits are discussing that they should talk directly to the invaders about surrendering and arrest the PDF sergeant who vivisectioned the Xeno for good faith with the creatures. Narod Broadcasting instead is having a debate about the future financial impact of the invasion."

"… Emperor, are they truly that stupid?" Her eyebrow twitched before she turned back to the captain." Can we run the blockcade to land the dropships?" The captain looked aghast at the question." I will not allow it. This ship is the only Imperial Vessel in this system, I can't-" Before he continued Nates cut off the captain." You are in command of this ship captain, I am in command of this expedition. You say this is the only vessel in this system? I'm in command of an entire battle group sent here to relieve Suliman, this is by the permission of your admiral and High Marshal Joctek. Now tell me can you run the blockade?"

After that short triad the captain backed down and said." Yes general, but the ship may not survive the run." This time it was Commissar Grend that spoke." In that case then captain we shall die as Imperial Servants and do our duty to ferry all Guardsmen to the battlefield." Danolov couldn't of put it better himself and silently approved of the shipborn commissars word's." I hope you now understand your place now captain." Nates told the fleet officer. The fact that he was ordered around by the guard general, a furry almost abhuman and a women to boot, twisted his face into that of disgust which he tried to hide but couldn't." Perfectly general."

"Good." She turned back to the hololith table, back to the other generals." I want combat formations ready and loaded onto the drop ships within 7 hours. Your deployment will be directly into action after landing at these air strips." She pointed out over twenty landing strips along the coast lines of the four continents, the largest concentration being on the most developed continent of Columbo." We will support the PDF forces there the most and develop a strong hold to strike back against the xeno forces." She then looked up and around, then focused on Danolov." Commissar Bracket. I want to strongly urge that you join the Ratical's on their assault on Angel Hive."

He could of always said no and go where he wanted, Emperor knew he had the power to. But she was the commander of Imperial forces and knew what she was doing. Plus he knew that the Ratical's were the… least gung ho about mass combat from the reports of the commissars attached to that world's regiments. Not to mention… getting his son onto the planet was the safest place for him to be." Of course general. I'll start inspiring the Ratical's regiment's a.s.a.p. I'll take my leave now if there is nothing else vital that I should know about?" Thankfully for Bracket, Nates shook her head." Your free to leave Commissar, were learning about the enemy as we go. If we're going to learn anything it's going to be on the front lines… where your expertise would be most welcomed."

Bracket nodded slightly at her logic and made the sign of the Aquila across his chest in a show of respect." The Emperor protects." He then turned to leave, his step picking up after he passed the bridge doors.

/

A few hours later, after washing and gathering his secretary and son, Danolov was aboard one of the drop ships carrying the 12th Ratical regiment. The conditions were extremely cramped, the dropship would have been a tight squeeze for a ten thousand man regiment, but the Ratical regiments were three times the size of a usual regiment. There was complaining from the rank and file, but that was very subdued since they had lived in hive city's all their lives and were taking up all space where they could. Though that meant the hivers were the walls and there were small scale battles between them and the ships complement of Ratlings over hidey holes.

Bracket had no control over that though, beyond saying on the intercom that each branch would keep themselves respectful of the other, though the chances of either side taking to his orders were slim to none in this environment. What an environment it was too. For nearly every guardsman and woman on the ship this would be their first battle of epic scale, not some small scuffle or gang fight this would be a real war. So he and Commissar Rober Herrier had to sooth their fears and focus them on the battle to come, the glory that they'll win and the rewards of failure being a shot to the head.

They were stationed on the bridge of the dropship where they could move about and take turns with the intercom system. Bracket had just finish his 8th speech since he gotten on the dropship and let Herrier take over." Kaci get me some water if you will." He asked his vulpine secretary." Sure boss." She then scurried away, like she was glad to be away from Danolov. He didn't blame her though, not after that scare earlier in the day. He turned away and looked down at his son, who was huddled in the ships corner looking at one of his picture books. There were some things he had to talk to him about before they reached planet side… if they reached planet side.

He bent down on one knee and asked Julius with a smile." So what are you reading?" His boy looked up and said." The Ugly Gooseling." Danolov remembered the story from when he was a child. It was a very old tale, he knew it was thousands of years old at least. The story was about a two headed baby bird who tried to fit in with his/her gooseling family. But they were prideful and never accepted them as their own, instead they tried to tempt the baby to ruin with four different kinds of destruction. Luckily his real parents, Imperial Eagles rescue the baby and kill the gooselings, taking the baby back as a favored son of the Imperium. It was his favorite book before being sent to the schola.

"Good book son. I love the part where the eagle chick and parents declare 'Exterminatus' on those heretic geese." His son smiled." Yep and how they virus bombed the planet then joined the Emperor on Terra!" Julius said excitedly. Danolov chuckled." That always had me feeling wonderful after reading it." His expression turned serious after a moment." Son, I need you to put away the book and listen to me." Julius set the book in his lap." What's wrong pop?"

"Julius, in a few minutes we'll be going into battle. This isn't going to be a game or like Wei Shung, where you were behind the lines. We'll be attached to one of the front line regiments." His son nodded." That means I want you to be on the lookout for any xeno's and look for cover if you hear or see warning signs." Those being taught to him over the past few months, ranging from seeing others dive for cover and orders to go to ground." I also want you to use your las-pistol, but only when needed." Julius smiled." Cool dad, I can shoot Xeno's this time?" Danolov nodded grimly." Yes you can, but only clean shots. Also your book bag will have to stay back here on the ship."

His son pouted and whined." Daaad! If I leave The Ugly Gooseling here its going to get taken by the rats!" Bracket couldn't fault his son's logic, after all he did read the various commissariat reports about the odd things that the Raticals had stolen. So he offered a solution." How does this sound. Just write on your bag that this belongs to you, son of a lord-commissar. That'll stop anyone thinking about stealing from you." His son still pouted but nodded his head." Okay pop."

Danolov's expression soften and he reached out to hug his son in a warm embrace." I love you Julius and I'll give you the universe if I could. I want you to know that." His son hugged back and said." I love you to dad." Danolov hugged for a few moments more since he knew, like every other time he went to battle, that he may not be coming back or return to find his son slain. The embrace filled him with confidence to make it back, to give him a reason to live. He let go and stood up, meeting Kaci eye to eye.' She must of seen that.' He thought as he looked at the fox girl.

"Your water sir." She help out a glass of water and apparently wore the contents of another glass on her tunic and pants." Thanks' Corporal." He took the glass and a long swing of the liquid for his parched throat. He could taste the coppery recycled water, it did decent as substitute but was nothing compared to real water… something that he might have a chance to have once planet side." Spilled some corporal?" He asked taking another sip, swishing it around his mouth as she replied." Yes sir. Could hardly maneuver out in the hallway without stepping on someone and I tripped." He swallowed and shrugged." Eh, well good work getting that drink anyway."

He finished the drink and turned away, but she stopped him by saying." I'm sorry for earlier in the day, I shouldn't of woken you up like that sir. Forgive me." He turned back to her and saw that her fox like face was begging for forgiveness. He sighed, he could forgive her… but she had broken a rule that he had set down, so there was to be no forgiveness from his commissar side." Corporal, what you did was not only breaking a rule I set down for you, but also a degree of trust and putting your life in danger." She winced as he continued." As a commissar I would expect that you, a servant of the Imperium, would honor my wishes and the trust I put into you that you'll honor those wishes. How could I trust you to listen to orders in the heat of combat? How can I trust you not to turn your own gun against me if you find those orders not to your liking?"

Kaci shrunk as he reprimanded her." Furthermore you put yourself into danger. Had I not been so sleepy and aiming for a larger target you would have received a bolt round to the brain instead of this talk." He glared down at the fox girl, who looked like she shrunk a good two feet." I as a commissar cannot forgive that." He stared her down for a few more moments before shaking his head and sighing." But because I'm also a human I can forgive you as a man, who has made mistakes before, not as a commissar though." Her ears perked up and her eyes showed hope rather than fear." Really sir? You'll forgive me?" Danolov nodded." Just this once and only as… non-professional acquaintances." She moved to hug him, but stopped her arms up in the air realizing who she was about to… snuggle." Uh, thank you sir I truly appreciate that." She blushed and he rolled his eyes with a smile, walking past her." Be glad it's not a bolt round."

As he walked up to see how Herrier was doing with his speech, about how if the Raticals don't serve on the front line then they'll serve on the firing line, the captain of the drop vessel made a declaration." Troopship Holy Santo is in orbit of Suliman. The ship's shields are holding for now, but we will be under attack from the moment we launch. We will launch in T-Minus 5 minutes and counting." Danolov turned to Herrier after the captain finished his declaration." Move aside, I need to make a special announcement." The lower ranked commissar stepped aside for his lord. Bracket took out the music storage device, a gift from a tech priest so very long ago, from his greatcoat's right pocket." Patch me through to all coms aboard the other drop ships and the Holy Santo." He told a comm's officer who also obeyed his better. Then as he selected a particular song he began to speak into the intercom and hundreds of thousands heard him.

"Men and Women of the Imperium hear me. I am Lord-Commissar Danolov Bracket, agent of the Imperium and representative of the Adeptus Terra." That would get their attention, he reflected." Today we embark upon a crusade of the Fulhorn Zone. We start this great campaign by saving a world from the ravages of xeno attrition. To many of you this will be your first battle and your last, but this is what you've trained for these many long months, to slay the enemy or die trying. Look to your wargear for it will protect you, look to your veterans and officers for they will lead you, look to the Emperor for he shall give you victory." Then a moment later he said." The Emperor protects."

The gates open to space and Danolov held up the ear pieces to the microphone, he pressed play and the music began to play.

"I've got the reach and the teeth of a killing machine with the need to bleed you when the light goes green, best believe, I'm in a zone to be, from my Yin to my Yang to my Yang Tze. Put a grin on my chin, come to me, 'cuz I'll win, I'm a one-of-a-kind and I'll bring death to the place you're about to be: another river of blood runnin' under my feet. Forged in a fire lit long ago, stand next to me, you'll never stand alone. I'm last to leave, but the first to go, Lord, make me dead before you make me old. I feed on the fear of the devil inside of the enemy faces in my sights: aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like arctic ice

I am a soldier and I'm marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song."

The dropship's sailed out and rocketed away from the Holy Santo. They came under attack almost instantly from enemy fighters. Defensive weapons fired beams of concentraited energy, balls of plasma and heavy bolter rounds, destroying dozens of the xeno craft. But still some got through, two ships were destroyed one carrying the 8th Ratical Regiment and the 2'd Canenid, over forty thousand lives would never feel the touch of earth or fell an enemy now. Another ship was blown off, this one a Draconan, had to make landfall on a small island chain in the Great Western Ocean. But for those that survived they still listened to the song.

"I bask in the glow of the rising war, lay waste to the ground of the enemy shore, wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if another one stands I'll kill some more. Bullet in the breech and a fire in me, like a cigarette thrown to gasoline, if death don't bring you fear I swear, you'll fear these marching feet. Come to the nightmare, come to me, deep down in the dark where the devil be, in the maw with the jaws and the razor teeth, where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps. Call to the gods if I cross your path and my silhouette hangs like a body bag; hope is a moment now long past, the shadow of death is the one I cast.

I am a soldier and I'm marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song.
My eyes are steel and my gaze is long, I am a warrior and this is my song."

Now they were entering the atmosphere of Suliman, the dropships were rocked back and forth as they experienced turbulence and more enemy attacks. For the soldiers of the 3rd Vulpine they experienced horror when sections of their dropship was burned up in the atmosphere, killing over two thousand of their number in a fiery death. Over the screams of the dying the song carried on and those still alive to listen steeled themselves for more death and to bring it.

"Now I live lean and I mean to inflict the grief, and the least of me's still out of your reach. The killing machine's gonna do the deed, until the river runs dry and my last breath leaves. Chin in the air with a head held high, I'll stand in the path of the enemy line. Feel no fear, know my pride: for God and Country I'll end your life.

I am a soldier and I'm marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song.
My eyes are steel and my gaze is long, I am a warrior and this is my song

."

Suddenly they were no longer fall but landed with a loud thud." Terrian clear, LZ is hot. Lowering ramps in 30 seconds. All troops prepare to disembark!" The captain shouted. Danolov pocketed his device and turned to his son and secretary." Right let's find ourselves a company to attached to then." He then motioned them to follow him. Where to? He didn't know, only that it was where the fighting was to be had.

Chapter 8 end

/

A/N: As I said in the first chapter I don't own any of the references owned except my own plot. Also check out the Warrior Song, since that's what I used in this chapter, I don't mean any copyright infringement nor seek any profit, I only felt that this would add to the story. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter (which maybe the longest yet!) and remember to read and review.