(Above Karpathia, onboard the Corvinus Rex, 3 years before the invasion of Honor's End)

Words cannot describe my first flight in a spacecraft. Strapped in a seat, the loud humming of starting engines and the force that almost crushed me, while exiting the atmosphere. I had some idea what space will be like, most of us imagined it as a dark, empty void, something to be terrified of. I never really gave into those superstitions, thought after being in the Guard for 3 years; I came to understand the dangers of a hull breach.

Thing like these, made me wonder why my friend, Mathias, choose the Navy over the Guard, but after what I've gone through, I can clearly tell he made a better choice. I can only hope that my good friend is still alive somewhere in the vast Imperium.

Apart from the rough exit from Karpathia's atmosphere, I was more fascinated than terrified at the sight of the void. We were simple men and women; all we knew of the Imperium was through our education and the propaganda that was hammered into our minds. When the rest of my comrades saw space, for the first time in their lives, I saw a form of terror and anxiety I usually felt down on Karpathia. I, on the other hand was curious; amazed of the vastness of the void that surrounded our planet.

To imagine the endless opportunity, the freedom one can have in this vast space. Indeed, I must say I was still naïve to hope I could be free. Can I be blamed though? They always told me I had an overactive imagination that I tried to comprehend things I couldn't, and for some reason inspired me, rather than it depressed me. My true depression was to live in the reality I was forced into, but looking at space and to imagine that every star, every world and everything beyond infinity is part of the Imperium, gave me hope, that there might be a reason for me to live.

Onboard the Corvinus Rex, we were lead to our living quarters soon after we left the docking area. We were guided into a complex system of tunnels and shafts, drifting above Karpathia. It was dark, damp and very loud. Servitors were walking up and down the corridors or they were carrying parts and bits for the tech-priests to fix. Ratings gazed at us like we were circus attractions, and the commissars… once we were off planet, they began their dirty work, trying to discipline us.

My place was cramped, the room I was issued had twelve double bunks and equal amount of lockers to store equipment in. The ventilation was noisy and did little to filter the air; it just got worst when one of my roommates had started smoking, at the time I wasn't a smoker… I hated it and detested those who did, unlike now. However to this day, I still can't stand when somebody blows smoke directly into my face.

I needed some semi fresh air, so I left the room to catch my breath. The corridors were lit by a series of lights, running along the walls, yet somehow it was still dark. I occasionally heard creaking and other sounds coming from the walls I couldn't identify, I wasn't sure what they meant, were they the usual sounds of a working ship or was this vessel going to fall apart before we even leave orbit? I had to find some open space, a ship this big must have more spacious areas in it; at least I hope it has.

I couldn't explore far, as the next commissar ordered me to report to my company commander, a man named Bruno Forges. I never heard of the man, or saw him in my life, finding him this labyrinth of a ship will take hours. I wanted ask for directions, but the commissar didn't even listen and just stormed away to make order among the rest of the unit. I picked a direction which I deemed the best and went looking for my CO.

I don't know how long I was searching, but as I got deeper and deeper into the ship, I felt more lost. The ratings and the crew didn't offer much help, since most of them weren't familiar with us, so they usually told me to bug off. Wandering around the metal corridors, I eventually found my way to more living quarters, I asked around if anyone knew the man and finally one guardsman was well informed enough to point me in the right direction. I finally found him, and as I predicted, I was hours late.

- Yes? – He looked in my direction once he noticed me standing in the door.

- Corporal David Hughes reporting! – I saluted as I was drilled. He didn't seem to care, and neither did his guest he had with him. The other man was tall, taller than me and him and had a short cut hair, against Bruno's curly black.

- You sure took your time guardsman. – He bluntly pointed out. I swear, this man couldn't be a rank or two above me, yet he spoke with such arrogance, it pissed me off just by listening to it.

- I got lost sir; I was issued quarters on the opposite end of the vessel. – I told him the reason for my late arrival, it was the truth, I shouldn't be ashamed or blamed for it.

- Excuses will not get you out of trouble guardsman. – His guest pointed out in a superior tone. – Take responsibility for your lack of skill and sense of time. – He said, as if he was trying to lecture me.

- Agreed. – Bruno nodded and the tall man left. On his way out our eyes met, he clearly measured me to see my worth or something and I could tell from his looks that he was looking down on me.

The thought infuriated me, on what note and right does he judge me? I was honest and any other guardsman in my position would have been late as well. This uptight jackass had no right to disregard me for something that isn't my fault. I looked back at him, to my surprise he seemed caught off guard that I stood up against him, even if it were just with my eyes. We didn't even know each other for a minute and I could tell I already made an enemy.

- Leave it Marcel. – My CO said and nodded for me to come in. – So, you are going to work under me? David was it? –

- Aye, however… I prefer that you would refer to me as Hughes, sir. – I requested, not because I wanted to be formal. I just hated when people, I didn't know or trust, used my first name so casually.

- Right… right, but a word from the wise, Hughes. Don't try to make too many requests; I saw your record… Lieutenant of the PDF regiment in Sobernick. Remarkable, I tell you that, but you do know this is not the PDF anymore. –

- I am aware of that sir. –

- Are you familiar with the command structure son? – Who was he son-ing? He didn't look a year older than me.

- I know who my officers are, so yes. Yes, I am. –

- Some of the men have already been flogged and punished by the commissars for insubordination. While we have tolerated this kind of bad behavior down on Karpathia, I suggest you and the rest of the company will behave… until we arrive. –

- Do we know that name of our destination, sir? –

- Nope, not yet at least. Pig face hasn't even boarded the ship, so don't count on anything. – He answered, I figured, that by using the nickname we gave our colonel, he wasn't on a friendly term with him either. He might not be so bad after all.

- I see. –

- Oh yeah… before you leave. – He said, when I was about to leave. – I know some of the boys are not used to being in "confined" space. Do me a favor and make sure none of the men get the wrong idea of skipping tomorrows briefing, just because they got claustrophobic. –

- I'll do my best. – I saluted and he dismissed me.

A part of me hoped I could escape the strict hierarchy of Karpathia, once we get enlisted in the Imperial Guard. It turned out, I was very wrong… Mario, Marcel, Bruno and many other officers were rich pricks who bought their ranks instead of earning it. No experience, no charisma, they had nothing that would have made them leaders, except money and family ties. Part of the reason I was somewhat happy to leave my "home" behind, was to get away from its tainted society of relations and status.

If you were born a common men or woman, unless you knew someone high up the ranks of society, your only hope was either farm work or to toil in the factories until the day you die or get crippled. I don't know what I was expecting though, that I admit; I was naïve at the time… too innocent to know how the Imperium works. The irony is that while I don't mind the Imperium being that way, I detest and loath my own homeworld for being like that. I still don't know why I tried to make it work, after all I was, and to some degree, I still am a nobody when it comes to ranks and status.

(Honor's End, the town of Moor, Astra Militarum HQ, 6 months after the invasion)

The chimera transport stopped and the hatch opened up shortly after. The guardsman who hit me with the stock, jumped out first. I heard him explain something to someone and that person said my name. The man told him something and I heard footsteps approaching the hatch, I was soon facing the grim looks of a commissar. He ordered the other two to get me out in the open and they tossed me out without any concern. I completely lost track of their logic at that point. Why on Terra were they treating me like a renegade or some traitor? I did nothing wrong and there were at least five guardsmen to prove that, unless… there was something else going around here I didn't know of.

- State your name and rank guardsman! – The commissar barked at me.

- David Sobernick Hughes. Lieutenant. - I said, honestly I wanted to spit this man in the face and kick the other guy's ass for dragging me here.

- Regiment? – He asked as he circled around me, seeing if I was safe enough to approach.

- Karpathian 7th infantry. – I declared. – Sir, I have… - I began but instead of hearing me out the commissar drew his bolt pistol and was aiming at my temple.

- That regiment has forsaken the Emperor and the Imperium! What excuse you have is irrelevant! – He angrily stated, making me even more confused. Forsaken the Imperium? It can't be, the whole regiment… everyone… was annihilated, I saw it myself.

- S-Sir, I t-think I don't u-understand… – I stuttered in fear. Really? After giving up on suicide, I was going to die by the hands of my own for… what? Treason?

- Enough of you! – He yelled and I was sure he is going to pull the trigger right after that.

- HOLD! - I heard someone over shouting the commissar in front of me. – Who is this man, Commissar Holden? – Another commissar inquired as he and his entourage approached us. He was a barrel chested tall man, with an optical implant replacing his right eye. His eye wasn't the only thing that was replaced; his whole left arm and his right hand were also replaced by bionic limbs.

- Lord Commissar Jarrod, this man is from the 7th Karpathian infantry. A traitor, a fiend who have betrayed the Astra Militarum and the Imperium! – Commissar Holden accused me of things I didn't even know of. I was confused beyond words, we betrayed the Imperium? But… how… and why?

- Do you have proof, commissar? –

- These men have found, this waste of air leading a group of traitors across the No Man's Land! At least five guardsmen can approve that! –

- LIAR! – Maybe I lost my mind or I just gave up on it completely… I still don't know the reason of what I did on that day, but I could just stand in silence, and being accused off a crime I did not commit. Inside, justice demanded that I should speak; even it meant facing death and disobeying hierarchy. I couldn't allow my dead comrades to go down as traitors or allow them to execute me as one.

- Silence! – Holden yelled and pointed the bolt pistol at my head even stronger.

- Wait! – The lord commissar waved him down. – This man seems too sane to be a renegade. Tell me, who are you, young man? –

- I-I'm David Sobernick Hughes… lieutenant of the 7th Karpathian infantry regiment. I have no knowledge of this treason the commissar accuses me with, but… I can tell… that the 7th Karpathian have been all wiped out at Gillinor's Hill. – I defended, in their eyes, it must have been a ridiculous defense speech, but it was the truth.

- Than how is that they managed to launch an assault a week ago? – Commissar Holden pointed out accusingly.

- I have no idea; my unit and my officers were all killed during the assault. –

- The assault? – Lord Commissar Jarrod asked raising his brow in question.

- Indeed, we were ordered to hold the hill and we… -

- Lieutenant… what you are saying is impossible. Neither the 7th nor any of the regiments was ever ordered to hold Gillinor's Hill in the first place. – My eyes widened in shock, impossible… there was an order, the voxcaster… we heard General Marjanovich… even Pigface had… no, there had to be some mistake.

- I think he is innocent. – Lord Commissar Jarrod said as I was trying to cope with the truth. Commissar Holden objected and I heard him saying things, but I was too shocked to pay any attention. – Take him away and get those off of him. –

The troopers took the handcuffs of my wrists, but I was still too shocked to react. I clearly remember, the mud covered the voxcaster, that it came to life and the general spoke those words, which sent most of us to death. We held the bunker, even when the renegade marines stomped our dead into the ground, when their bolters tore our bodies apart, we held the line. Then how could the Imperium believe, that we… who died by the hands of the enemy, has betrayed it?

- What… happened? – I managed to ask.

- Get him to the medics, have him checked out. After that, I want to personally ask him some questions. – The Lord Commissar didn't even notice my question.

- I DEMAND AN ANSWER! – I yelled, this time they noticed me. I was gritting my teeth and was clenching my fists. I felt like crying, my eyes were probably teary as well, since things began to blur in front of me.

It was too much, three years of service, three years of survival. We, I gave too much up… I allowed too many opportunities to pass away; I served with loyalty and honor… and in the end… I was still a nobody.

Anger got the better of me, so much so that I didn't realize I jumped at my superiors. Two guardsmen apprehended me before I could do anything, not like I was in trouble or anything. Commissar Holden wanted to shoot me, but Jarrod dismissed him for some reason, he looked at me, as the soldiers pinned me to the ground. I looked back up, and as our eyes met, I saw pity… not the right kind of pity a compassionate man would give to another, but a distancing pity… what nobles give to the commoners and the poor, whenever they walk down the streets.

- Lock him up. – He calmly ordered. – But do not hurt him, I still want my answers. – With that he turned his back on me as the guardsmen forced me up. So I wasn't even worth killing on the spot, I figured. Little did I know, that there was something way more sinister and dark pulling the strings.

I still loath that day, when I demanded Lord Commissar Jarrod for answers, if I had known he wouldn't be the one handing them to me, I would have rather chosen death. Instead… I ended up knowing Them.

Chapter 4 end.

Well, I know it looks absurd and you are wondering why hasn't Hughes been shot on sight or who are "Them".

I guess you just have to wait for the next update!

All reviews and ideas are welcomed, as long as they provide usefully tips of how to improve this story. Apart from that, I would like to apologize for the spelling and grammar errors.

I try to keep up the grim drak feeling of WH40K, but as I mentioned before. This saga starts way beyond the current fluff and canons, it may reference a few of them in the future, but I added a few ideas of my own to make this work and not to break too much lore.

Until next time!