(The town of Moor, Astra Militarum HQ, Honor's End 6 month after the invasion)
Why? Why was I here? Why didn't I just pull the trigger when I had the chance? Why did I have to be a good man? Why can't I let go of my life?
Question after question, I felt like I was going insane within my cell. To my luck, these were not those modern, mag-lock cells they have on more civilized worlds. Instead, it was a damp basement with two other rooms; I had to enjoy the company of demented guardsmen, thieves, and murderers. Of course, since the Lord Commissar wanted to interrogate me, I was put in a separate cage, shackled to the bars. The inmates looked at me with dark eyes, some made fun of me, and some asked me questions which I didn't I felt like answering. Nothing made sense anymore, the sacrifice we made out on the front, the treason, our campaign… nothing. Was I despair? Maybe, I don't know… honestly… I gave up caring the moment they told me my people were traitors.
- Yo, birdy. How's the cage? – An inmate asked for the hundredth time. – Got some seeds here if you want to peck at something. – He added and then began to crackle while the rest joined in with the laughing.
- Screw you. – I muttered as I stared into the corner.
- The Imperium sends us here to die so that the land grabbers can make an extra dime. I had family back at home, I can't die like this! I can't, I can't, I can't… - Another one repeated those two words, rocking back and forth on the floor.
- Fuck, fuck, fuck you all! Screw the government! Screw the commissars! Screw the fuckin' Emperor and his Primarchs! Just die already, die, die, die… aaahaaahahhahahaahahaha! – A man screamed at the top of his lungs while hanging from the bars like some kind of ape.
Suddenly the door leading down to the holding area slammed open and a commissar with two troopers came down. The guardsmen began to bang on the bars, making the inmates fall back. The moment they found themselves on the opposite end of a lasgun, they calmed down like trained animals. The group walked down the block until they stopped at my cage.
- Hughes? – The commissar asked. I didn't answer; I just kept looking at the dark corner. In that… I saw that "thing" again. I saw as he extended his bony fingers, hissing at me while showing off his jagged teeth. Its long rotten nails clawed at the dirty floor, his clothes were tattered and dirty as it began to crawl out from the corner on all four it slowly made its way towards me. For some reason I couldn't avert my gaze, my heart began to pound and every fiber in my body wanted to run, but I denied my instincts to do so. The creature reached my cage and crawled on it, our eyes met and as I stared into the sick, veiny orbs, it began to mutter something to me.
- HUGHES! – The commissar hit the bars of my cage, making the monster to go away. The closest guardsman opened the lock and in a second I was dragged out by the angry political officer. I had no idea what that was, all I could feel was the strong tug on my shirt as the commissar dragged me through the bunker.
Maybe I accepted my fate, that is why I didn't fight back, even if I did, it wouldn't have made any difference. I felt I should be feeling guilty for being the only survivor, the last remaining Karpathian from a betrayed regiment. However, I felt nothing… or truth be told… I was glad… glad that at least I had a chance to decide a man's fate. My mouth curled into a small smile and chuckled at his face… the commissar noticed and pushed me against the wall with great force.
- What is so funny!? Guardsman? – He hissed as he almost choked me.
- N-Nothing, sir. – I said as I looked him in the eye and for a moment he looked surprised at me. – I just remembered something very funny. – I explained and with a clenched jaw, the commissar punched me in the stomach.
- Save it for the interrogation, maggot! – He ordered and continued to drag me further down the tunnel.
(Corvinus Rex, en route to Honor's End, 6 months before the invasion)
- Again! – Colonel "Pig Face" ordered the line of guardsmen to dis- then reassemble their lasguns. – This isn't the PDF ladies! This is now the Imperial Guard! One mistake… one fuck up… one slip of a second! – He shouted as he walked through the guardsmen to inspect their progress.
I was just minding my own business as I put the lasgun together for the sixth or seventh time. The people around me were getting tired of this shit, and so was I, but I was more agitated by this fatass's barking more than the monotonous routine. I often had to remind myself that this wasn't the PDF anymore, even if it were… as a lieutenant, I wouldn't have been able to do anything for these men and women. Like always, I had to swallow my pride… and my thoughts and just bear with this dumbass until the Emperor knows how long.
- Dyva. – He stopped and called me by my nickname, I suddenly felt an urge to punch him, but I just stood up and saluted.
- Sir! – I felt disgusted as I forced myself to show respect to this dumbass, leave me alone you fat bastard!
- What do you think you are doing? – He asked and began to circle me. – What is this? – He pointed at the lasgun and then looked back at me.
- A standard issue lasgun, issued to us by the Adeptus Munitorum, sir! – I said as he picked the rifle up.
- No. – He said and then smashed it against the metal floor. – It is broken! – He said as he stomped on it. – You broke your weapon! – He stomped on it again. – I should call the commissars! – He then jumped on it to damage it further. – This is your fifth offense this week, Dyva! – He spat at me with a goofy smile and kicked the rifle away.
- I shall be forgiving though. – He continued and by now the rest of the men have also finished with the assembly. – I will only half your rations… or perhaps I should quarter it? Yes, I think I will… maybe then you'll learn, stupid. – He saw I was tensing up and his smile widened, he enjoyed it and the less I reacted the more he continued. He was trying to make me snap, only to have me beaten to death by the commissars, but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of watching it.
- Understood, sir. – I said as I was shaking with anger.
- You better… Dyva. – He addressed me by my nickname again just to rub it in and left dismissing the troops.
I felt angry if it weren't for the ranking system and the commissars watching us; I would have shoved the stock of my lasgun down his fat throat. I knew the tech-priests will be mad, I almost became a regular visitor to their little "sanctum" on the Corvinus. I tried to explain myself the first few times, but I don't know how much they care… to be honest they creeped me out by just looking at me. I never really understood their devotion, on Karpathia the Monarchy respected them as they were the only "people" who could maintain the hives.
Here, we simple-minded men and women, put a considerable distance between us and them. There was just something in them that made me wonder about death. Just the mere sight of them felt like I was being pulled closer and closer to an unmarked grave. I didn't know why though…
- You know you don't have to put up with him. – A female guardsman pointed out beside me. Looking up I realized it was just Christina.
- Either I do and piss off the tech-priests, or I don't and piss off the commissars. – I said as I finally collected the last piece of my lasgun. – And I'm not in a mood to die by a bullet in the head. –
- It still doesn't give him the right to treat you like crap. – She pointed out as we left the training area. – There are witnesses who can vouch for you. I mean, if those gearheads are so pissed about you bringing in broken lasguns, then just tell them it was Pigface and… -
- And what do you think will happen afterward? – I asked stopping in my tracks. – I doubt they'd do anything… the AdMech never really cared for us on Karpathia, I doubt it would be any different off world. – I might have snapped a bit at that moment.
I always had issues with controlling my emotions, especially my anger. However, I wasn't the type of man who started fights with anyone who pissed me off, I just bottled it up until I get full and… something like this happens. Because of this they often asked me why I chose to become a part of the PDF, I sound like your everyday troublemaker who doesn't give two shits about following orders. Interestingly, I didn't have any problems with following orders or listening to my superiors, until Pig Face came into the picture.
- Sorry. – I apologized seeing Christina backing away a bit. – I'm already having a headache. – I added rubbing the bridge of my nose with my free hand.
- Hey, no worries. – She bumped me on the shoulder. – But if you consider making a move against that fatass, just let us know. – She winked at me before she walked the other way.
I couldn't help but smile a bit, its hard to realize the people that have your back sometimes. Thinking back now, I wish I had taken a better care of her and the others… I don't know, lamenting about them won't help that's for sure.
(Moor, Astra Militarum HQ, Interrogation room XVII)
I was sat down on a small wooden chair across a long table, I heard the locks closing as soon as I was cuffed to the chair. Across me were two men, one of them was the Lord Commissar, but the other was a fishy looking guy who had a hood over his head. None the less, they both unsettled me and the room felt strangely cold for some reason.
- Hughes, S. David. Lieutenant of the 7th Karpathian infantry regiment, a former corporal of the same and before your service in the Imperial Guard, lieutenant of the PDF on Karpathia Prime. An interesting service record. – The shady one spoke first. – Considering your recent circumstances, I would say you are a very lucky man, but I guess you think otherwise. – I could care less about his opinion. At least a dozen questions raced through my mind, but seeing the Lord Commissar giving me a death-stare I found it easier to shut my mouth until they ask me first.
- What happened with your regiment was indeed a tragedy. But by the Emperor, at least one of them survived to tell the tale. Rest assured my friend, they'll be commemorated once we take control of Honor's End. – Oh please, I know you don't mean any of that nonsense… how long have you been practicing that speech? Month or years maybe?
- However… there is a particular matter that needs to be taken care off. – He said as he opened a folder. – General Marjanovich, born on Karpathia and was the head of the operations regarding the capturing of the hills. It is said he was a charismatic leader, a natural born statesman and had good connections with the Monarch of Karpathia. Such a shame he went missing after the tragedy. – Like I care, he was a scumbag… he and every officer who died defending the hills. At least decent people can rest in peace knowing they all got what was coming for them.
- We found these in his quarters. – He put out three pictures on the table. – I don't assume you know what are these… - He stood up and motioned over them. – But we know you came in contact with those who might. – My blood froze in my veins as I looked at the images of strange relics or junks, but one of the patterns looked too familiar for comfort.
- The Ordo Xenos would like to know the tale of your encounter, lieutenant. –
Inquisitor Julius Ingram from the Ordo Xenos, as long as I live I will never forget his name or the fact he sold me out to the Harlequins.