(The planet Honor's End, en route towards Astra Militarum HQ, 6 month after the invasion)
My face was still hurting from the hit from earlier, when I regained my consciousness I found myself in a Chimera transport, along with the five troopers who "caught" me in the No Man's Land. I figured there was only one place they could be taking me, and that would be the Guard HQ over the town called Moor.
I was sitting silently in the troop compartment of the chimera, my hands cuffed behind my back and the guy who put them on, never once allowed his gaze to fall off from me. I looked back at him, I was angry on the inside, but I knew that anything I do from this point would just convince them to use me as a living punching back. The fact they haven't shot me on sight was surprising on its own, nevertheless, I didn't like the way he was looking at me.
- Want one? – One of them offered me a lho-stick. I never was a smoker before I joined the Guard, but I took it up after my first operation, however I wasn't in the mood for it now, so I shaked my head and turned him down.
- What the damn hell were you doing out there in the mud? – The one who had his eyes on me the whole time spoke up as his partner lit the lho-stick.
- Surviving. – I answered.
- Don't be a smart ass! Tell me the truth! – He demanded as he slapped me. – What were you doing out in the open?! –
- Surviving! – I lashed out. – Look, I don't know what you are trying to get at, but take a look at me! Do I look like a guy who's been up to something?! –
- I thought all those Karpathians died out there a day ago. You turning up either means you are one lucky son of a bitch or a treacherous cunt. –
- Which one do you think I am? – I asked back, leaning forward to look him in the eyes.
- Neither. If it were up to me, I'd have blown your brain out the moment we saw you killing those bastards in the ditch. –
- What? – I asked in disbelief, some part of me knew he was going to say something like that, but still. Actually hearing it from one of ours, have made it clear how we're standing.
- But apparently, the rest of you bumpkins don't want to give up until they see it themselves. Making us doing your shitty job, digging up carcasses for chump change. – He spat and set his gun down. – At least they'll cut us some slack once we bring you in. –
- Then why the handcuffs? – At that he hit me in the face, making me fall back in my seat.
- No one likes a smart ass. – He calmly commented and asked his smoking companion for a lho-stick for himself.
(The planet Karpathia, Triest spaceport, 3 years before the invasion of Honor's End)
I was cleaning my glasses, to pass the time while we were waiting for departure. Getting off the train we were lead to the cargo area, where we awaited the transports to take us off planet. This seemed like a long wait, as more and more trains arrived and soldiers got crammed into the makeshift staging area. I lost sight of Gabor shortly after we got off our train, even in the massive crowd, I felt lonely, lost.
When I was still in the PDF, I came to like my comrades working with me. Here, I didn't know anybody; there were units from different PDF regiments, freshly recruited men and women from the countryside and cutthroats from the under hives. I felt out of place, I felt I didn't belong here… I wanted to walk away, run from all of this, but I knew I couldn't. I wasn't particularly afraid of the punishment, but because I knew I had nowhere to go if I do leave. All I could do was to clean my glasses, to take my mind off the depressing thoughts.
- Hey, partner. – Someone asked as he put a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, only to meet a black haired, brown skinned man with a light mustache. – Brother, can you help another out? –
- I don't know how, but sure. – I said putting my glasses back on.
- You seem like an educated man, tell me and the mates where exactly this parade is going? – He flashed ma toothy grin, he was acting awfully friendly with me, to the point it bothered me.
- Sorry, that is the only think I don't know. – I answered and pulled away from him. – I really wish to know myself too. –
- Aw heck no, brother. Even officers don't know why we leave, that I cannot take. –
- I'm a corporal; technically I'm not an officer. – I corrected him, hoping that by seeing my lack of authority and information he'll leave me alone.
- You don't even have a hunch, brother? – He insisted on interrogating me.
- Everyone has a guess; I don't think my guess is any better than yours. – I said, trying to act natural and dismiss this guy as politely as I could. – Look, sorry I can't help you. Maybe you'll find someone more capable… like an actual officer. – At that he spat out and grunted.
- Ayeee, those bluebloods ain't care about the likes of me! – He complained throwing his arms around in the air. – Once they see my skin and hair, they start to pull away or shoo me away, like I'm some beggar or something! – He went on and on, I couldn't decide whether he was pretending to be offended or not. Back when in the PDF, we usually gave support the Arbites during a bigger revolt or strikes.
There was this one case, when after clearing out the main square of protesters, we help the Arbites chase down stranglers, who happened to hide among the lower communes of the hive. These people, well… I won't say they were bad in general, in fact they often showed more respect and humility than my superiors and other high class citizens of Karpathia. However, people are quick to judge one another, just by seeing a few bad examples. Looking for the rioters, we walked through their commune, they weren't very cooperative. The men began cursing, and the women wanted us to leave, saying they didn't do anything, why bother them then? I didn't say anything, I was obliged by duty… they wouldn't understand it anyway.
- Sorry to hear that. – I said, I wasn't even listening to his rant. True, I agreed it was unfair, if anything we were guardsmen now, equal in right and power, well as much right and power a guardsman could have.
He didn't say anything to that, just patted me on the shoulder and casually walked away. I never saw him again; I didn't know his name either. After a couple of hours, the summer heat was getting more and more unbearable, soldiers began to hand out water, but that didn't last long. The commissars were watching us the whole time, looking for anyone who changed his or her mind about serving the Imperium. I wasn't about to change my mind, so I didn't care much about those grumpy bastards. I took my glasses off and began to clean them, yet again.
My sight was fine, the doctors performed surgery on them when I enlisted. At first, it was very alien for me to not have them, so I made a few pairs just for show. I don't know why, but I always feel uncomfortable not having them on. I guess, the glasses were a part of me that didn't change, by wearing them I hoped I won't change.
- ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Transport arriving to DOCK-1 to DOCK-15, all personnel should stay clear! – The PA announced and in a moment 15 transport ships appeared in the sky, descending down to the spaceport.
We watched them as they slowly flew by and docked, the people around me were glad that something was finally happening. I on the other hand felt a bit of concern, my heart began to race and I felt my palms sweating. Strange, I didn't feel this nervous on the train, at that time I had no idea about the changes that were about to happen in my life. At that time, I put those anxious feeling behind me, trying to find some form of confidence in my regiment and comrades. Emperor, if I had known… if I had known that all of my faith and hope were false, I would have just ran… ran and be shot for it, rather than suffering through 3 years of torment.
Sorry for such short chapters, but there is a reason for it. I'm currently trying to focus a little more on character building, mostly the inner workings, that is why this project will have little action in the beginning. I hope you enjoy it so far, I'll try to elaborate more on the timeline of this story, so bare with me if you will OK?
Anyway, feel free to review and share your thoughts.
I'm sorry for any spelling and/or garmmar errors.
Until next time!