-XXXVII-

"There you are." said Commissar Ibrak as the Space Marines arrived.

Gus Ibrak looked happier then ever, he was the jolliest Commissar Julius ever seen.

However this time the Commissar was fully armed and prepared for combat.

He had his powersword strapped to his belt, dangling about in it's ornate scabbard and his laspistol was in a decorated holster. He wore a velvet purple sash across his chest diagonally. His cap had three dark purple flowers attached to the side of it. He wore a very expensive leather belt, probably some exotic animal hide and his boots shone black even in the filthy trenches.

"He looks ridiculous." commented Horatus into team-vox.

"Shut it." snapped Ioras.

"My Lord, I have taken the liberty of preparing the arriving regiments to formations." Gus said with a huge smile on his face.

"Well done, Commissar, call it in, I need all commanders about." said Ioras.

"Beau!" Commissar shouting in a striking voice that suited his position.

A young men dressed in a black commissariat uniform run towards them. It was the Commissariat Aidaite of Ibrak. He wore a black jacket over a flak vest, over his shoulders he had gold coloured fringes dangling about. His belt and boot were not Commissar quality but still was way better than what the guardsmen were wearing.

There was another Aidaite standing in the corner with the same outfit.

"You have aides?" asked Ioras.

Gus nodded "Beau and Leif, worthy men to serve the Emperor." he said.

Aidaite Beau stroke a sharp military salute.

Commissar given orders to him for a call to the commanding officers. The Aidaite ran off to a nearby vox caster and relayed the call in.

Julius looked around the dimly lit tent. It was night outside but the occasional loud crack of artillery shells were still present. All the necessary people had gathered into the command tent. The gathering was an odd one. It looked like a ragtag fighter group rather than an Imperial force. There was the Napthali 62nd led by Colonel Ibrahim on one side. Napthali artillery division also had arrived from the cluster and their leading officer, Matan Heka was standing near the Colonel. The artillery had been kept away from the frontlines and the subsequent Ork flanking movement had caused them to disperse. However many survived the Orks through the mazes of streets and now gathered back to pay back the retribution in ample amounts.

Matan Heka had his closest adjutant behind him. Shakeed Tamir of the 2nd Artillery Group who was at the frontlines with the Napthali, delivering deadly payloads from their Griffon variant artilleries. Griffons had the Griffon Heavy Mortars as their main weapon and lobbed high explosive anti-infantry shells at the enemy.

On the other side of the old Colonel was Bridge Captain Aaron Talamud. Hilaa Ahava of the 1st Infantry Platoon and Roi Shachar of the 2nd was standing behind their Captain.

Napthali Armour had also manage to arrive in force from the cluster. They had stuck together and had no casualties against the Ork machines and band roaming the cluster.

At the head of the Armour Division was Lieutenant Zeevka Preta leading his 1st Armour Group. Liorit Aryeh of the 2nd and Zifor Yochan of the 3rd was also present with their crew commanders populating the tent. The rest of the crew had been escorted outside by the Colonel's guard to keep the tent less populated.

Abalafi the Chief Engineer of the 1st Support Group and Chief Medic Yoram was also present in the tent.

Techpriest Nuzilliad assigned to the 1st Support Group however was not present. Him and his servitor crew was beside the armour and artillery pieces he had not seen for some time, running maintenance checks seemed more important to the Enginseer than some board-room meeting.

Commissar Gus Ibrak stood at the head of the table with his two Aidaites behind him. He looked as radiant and outwards as ever, clearly having somekind of pleasure from this military show off they had. His Aidaite were however as cold and disciplines as ever. Their cloths were perfectly cleaned and ironed, their expensive postals shining black.

Echtesia had not sent any of it's House Guards to participate in this combat effort. They were keeping their military close to their Hive. If the Emperor's Spears have failed they would try to defend their hive from the Orks with their forces intact.

However the Echnisians did persuaded the Balharethi regiment to return to the frontlines and join the war effort.

Julius could not imagine what promises or threats had brought the Balharethi back.

Balharethi Colonel Erdul Malik had a dirty face and an unkempt hair. His only expression was one of displeasure. His brute of a guardsmen Alexis was standing behind him, arms crossed. Alexis reminded Julius of Death World veterans where Malik and his Adi Balhareth Raiders only resembled thieves.

Along Alexis stood another Balharethi which Julius had never seen. This men looked more well built than Malik and did not look as miserable as the Colonel. He had a full black beard, it was well kempt. Also his chest was open revealing a bush of black hair underneath his leather vest. He had his hair cut short and wore silver aquila necklace. He had desert camoed pants and black postals. His arms and chest were bare save for his black vest. He had a tattoo on his right arm which looked like a local prayer. He was unarmed except for a combat knife strung to his back behind the shoulder where he could slit it with a raised arm.

For the Astartes only four marines were present.

Ioras was the Force Commander, Julius and Horatus was standing behind him and Beta Sergeant Renon of the Lion Warriors stood at Ioras's side.

"Attention!" shouted Commissar Gus.

Ioras nodded to the Commissar before speaking.

"Here we all are." said Ioras, he had removed his helmet and locked it to his waist.

"We have gathered to plan our attack into the Ork territory." said Ioras without mentioning the tomb.

"I need to ask, why do we have to go into the Ork territory, there is nothing for us there." said Colonel Ibrahim.

"I agree, this is waste of time." retorted Malik.

Renon looked sideways at Ioras thinking if he would reveal the secrets of Echtesia to these outsider regiment commanders.

"There is a sacred tomb lying deep inside the dune where the Orks claim theirs. It is the Emperor's call that we should reach this tomb." said Ioras.

"A tomb? You would have us charge over the Red River for someone died long ago?" objected Malik ignoring the gaze of the Commissar.

Napthali also looked unconvinced.

"Not a simple tomb, but one an archeotech vault that dates back to the Old Night." said Ioras.

Nobody tried to ask what is inside the tomb for no one would know such an information.

"Who exactly ordered this offensive?" asked Ibrahim.

"Lord Patriarch of Echnisia." answered Ioras.

"Well, I thought we were deployed here to contain the Ork threat." said Ibrahim.

"You did, but now that the world is under attack we can't have the Ork reaching the vault. If there is anything valuable inside we must have it or deny it." said Ioras.

"That isn't the Imperial Guard's job, bring in some Skitarii from that forge-place Alacta." objected Malik.

"Altacra." corrected Ibrahim.

"Whatever." said Malik under his breath.

"The duty of the Guardsmen is to be where the Emperor wants them to be." said Commissar looking directly at Malik.

Malik averted his gaze.

"Our casualties would be great." said Ibrahim shaking his head.

"I am aware but you will have us to fight alongside you." said Ioras.

Ibrahim looked at Renon, he still did not trust the Lion Warrior. They were tricked once.

Then his gaze shifted to Ioras and his determination solidified.

"You fought in the trenches." he said more to himself.

"We did." said Ioras.

"I trust you Lord Ioras. If this is the path we must take then the Napthali is devoted unto our death. Just remember we are no Astartes." he said.

"You have my word that it would be as clean as it can be. We are the Emperor's Spears and we are here to pierce their soul."

Colonel Ibrahim nodded.

"I still don-" started Malik.

"My Lords!" cut in the figure next to Malik and walked near the table.

"Who is this man?" asked Commissar irritated by the interruption.

"Gazam Hakdan of the Hashim Raiders." said the muscled men bowing exaggeratedly.

Commissar was about to shout but Ioras rose a hand to stop him. "What is it that you want Gazam of the Hashim." he said.

"My great and hollowed Lord, me and my Kavhim does not share the same pessimism in this matter as Malik here."

"It's Colonel." said Malik angrily.

Gazam dismissed him with an arrogant look.

"You were the ones with the trucks in the cluster?" asked Ioras.

"No my Lord, we were on the other side of the cluster, fighting against hordes of unending Orks." Gazam said.

"I'm sure." lied Ioras looking at Malik.

"My great and glorious Lord, I am with you on this great endeavour, for the Emperor we are ready." he said.

Ioras sensed a political manoeuvre here rather than devotion. Malik seemed more miserable as if his command was in question and this new active Balharethi seemed like a contestant to the claim.

"For the Emperor." said Ioras casually.

"Majd Alkarim Ibd Ilimbaratur." said the three Balharethi hearing the name of the Emperor.

"What was that?" asked Commissar, his mouth was smiling but his eyes did not.

"Sacred Glory to Emperor, it roughly translates." said Malik being asked the same question by every outsider.

Ioras was about to continue but a new arrival stopped him.

Everyone turned to look at the new comer.

The figure had a hellgun pistol in one hand, unholstered.

He looked at the gathering and at Ioras specifically.

"So you are the one who blew Kahrim's face." he said grinning, his eyes were filled with malice.

Julius unslung his bolter and aimed it at the trooper.

"Declare yourself or I pump a bolt in your head." he said.

The room had tensed, everyone looked as if to spring for their weapons.

"Easy there, blue armour." he said waving his hellpistol around.

Julius did not relax he could see the pistol had it's safety off.

"If you came in here with intention to shoot, do it." said Ioras without moving a muscle.

For a second the two figures locked eyes, the newcomer did not flinch under Ioras' penetrating gaze.

Figure holstered his pistol with it's safety still on.

"Let's talk." he said still arrogant despite the bolter still being pointed to his head.

"Let's." said Ioras with not so much as a glance.

"I understand that you are here to mobilize a war effort." figure said.

Ioras didn't answer.

"Also you are wanted by my Lords." he said.

Several faces turned towards Ioras in the face of this accusation.

"And?" prompted Ioras.

"We found Sergeant Orson. Half drugged, he was crawling in the bunker with bubbles coming out of his mouth." figure said with a grin. Grin made the huge scar on his cheek move.

Julius realised Renon got tense as he heard the mocking description of his sergeant.

Figure scanned Renon with a disapproving look, "I see you tricked his men into joining you." he commented.

Renon moved an inch but Ioras grabbed his wrist.

"Don't." he said.

Renon nodded, still tense.

Trooper was not fazed by the whole threat of an angry marine.

"I also gather that you wiped out an entire squad of ours." trooper said.

"What if we did?" asked Ioras turning towards the trooper.

"It would be good to see that frag-pin Kahrim's face blew apart, kicking his corpse didn't gave the same kick." trooper said.

"So whose side are you on now?" Ioras asked.

"Side? I have no sides, we work on direct orders." said trooper.

"What would be your orders then?"

"We were asked by the Patriarch to join in. I heard we got a battle ahead." he said.

"Weren't you getting orders from the Lions?"

"It's a complicated system, hundred year old treaties and lots of bureaucracy. Echnisia is one of our chief investors, so we owed them one."

"So you're not here to kill us then." said Ioras.

"You think I would walk through the front door if I had the intention?" said trooper.

"Good point." said Ioras.

A silent ensured.

"Name?" asked Ioras turning back at the table.

"Oh, never bothered introducting myself in a long time, I either shoot or listen you see."

"I see." repeated Ioras.

Trooper did not even saluted and went on in the same relax pose "Jeliha Herison, Captain of the Spahkii Stormtroopers."

"How many squads?" Ioras asked peering at the maps before him.

"Two."

"And the rest?" asked Ioras.

"That's classified." said Jeliha with a grin.

Ioras ignored the Captain.

Jeliha moved towards the table but Julius still had the boltgun on him.

He looked at the gun, "We're friends now." he said waving a hand.

"For now." thought Julius lowering the boltgun.

Night has fallen fast, the uneasy alliance between the Spahkii and the Spears had settled for now.

Horatus was doing his patrol route, marching through the closer trenches.

His augmented hearing caught up distant noises of alarm.

"Let me go!" he heard a women's voice.

He started marching towards the source with a careful pace, no one would hear him coming.

"What are you doing?" a man's voice now.

He heard debate between the unknown parties.

A widening in the trenches, an unused mortal pit.

He came across three guardsmen, two Napthali and one Balharethi.

He gazed at the guardsmen, one of Napthali was a women and she had the Napthali man in front of her against the Balharethi.

They realised the giant shape moving in the dark and they turned at him.

"What is going on here?" asked Horatus.

"Nothing, lord. We are merely exchanging cultures." said the Balharethi guardsmen as sincerely as he can.

"He came upon me." half-shouted the Napthali girl.

Horatus was close now and they all can feel the shadow of his bulk.

"Damned rats, they are out of control." said the Napthali man.

"Insolent-" began the Balharethi and the two man grabbed each other.

Before the fight would grew Horatus was there and grabbed Balharethi by the collar.

Balharethi was about to object but Horatus cut in "I don't care what you are up to, you either cease your noisy bickering of I will." he said.

"Okay, okay, just drop me." said Balharethi trying to break free from Horatus' grip.

Horatus let go, the man stumbled a pace.

"You." said Horatus pointing at Balharethi.

"I decided that you are the cause of this bickering, stop it or suffer the consequences." Horatus said.

"Y-yes, lord." said Balharethi his eyes filled with anger.

"Good." said Horatus and turned to leave.

He was away now, just out of ear shot.

"Stinking armoured camel dung." Horatus heard the Balharethi swore behind him under his breath.

Guardsmen probably thought that the Space Marine was not able to hear him but he didn't knew the Astartes could hear better than ordinary humans.

In the blink Horatus turned and the trio held their breath.

He had his boltpistol in his hand, aimed at the Balharethi.

Before any of the three guardsmen can blink, Horatus fired.

Balharethi's chest exploded, bolt round punching through his flak vest without hindrance.

He fall to his knees, looking at the mess that is his chest. His lungs had bloated out of the wound and had partially burned. His stomach was punctured from the blast and hang outwards. His heart was no where to be seen.

Guardsmen crumbled to the muddy trench.

Napthali girl let out a scream and the man did not know what to do.

Was they next? He wasn't able to tell the intent of the Space Marine, he just shot a guy without so much as a blink.

He felt his life shrinking. They were helpless. This giant murder machine could kill them and they have nothing to do about it.

Horatus holstered his pistol.

Julius appeared above the trenches.

"What happened?" he asked.

His growling helmet-vox scared the two guardsmen more.

"He insulted me." replied Horatus casually.

"You shot him?" asked Julius.

Horatus nodded.

Julius had no reply, he knew the disdain the Marine had for the guardsmen but this was too far.

"You better come, bring those two guardsmen with you." said Julius.

"I have a patrol to finish." said Horatus as if it was obvious.

"You better explain this to Lord Ioras yourself." said Julius.

"Fine." said Horatus moving towards the Napthali.

"Come with me." he growled.

Girl shrieked and the man bobbed his head quickly, as if seconds was keeping the marine from killing them too.

They marched quietly with Horatus.

"You did what?" shouted Ioras.

There was gathering of guardsmen and Astartes near the command trench.

Aaron, Malik and even the Spahkii were there watching the spectacle.

"I executed him." said Horatus without remorse or care.

"For what?"

"He insulted me."

"He insul-" Ioras cut his shout short and put a gauntleted hand on his forehead.

It was too much of a bad spectacle for the rest of the fighting force. And Horatus' arrogant standing did not improve the situation.

Ioras realised that Spahkii Captain Jeliha was admiring the scene with a grin.

They would love to see Ioras' command crumble and fail.

"Commissar Gus." said Ioras.

"Yes, Lord." replied Gus Ibrak.

"You heard the women, is such a crime punishable by death?" asked Ioras.

"Not really, he would be put to censure for sure. But death penalty is reserved for cowards and heretics only." Commissar said.

"Who cares about the guardsmen laws, we are Space Marines." said Horatus pushing the subject further.

Ioras felt his anger rise, he wanted to punch Horatus so hard.

"Look here-" Ioras began.

"My Lord, If I may." interrupted Julius.

Ioras looked at the marine and nodded.

"Codex Astartes states that an Astartes is always bound by the word of his lords and every servant is also bound by the same law." said Julius.

Ioras looked at Horatus, expecting him to say "You're the one who disobeyed your lord and got your squad killed." but to his credit he didn't.

His head turned to Julius "And?".

"If you feel that Horatus' actions does not reflect your judgement than you should punish him, otherwise it would become your action." he said giving Ioras a path to redemption.

Ioras was left in a dilemma though. If he pardoned Horatus then his standing with the guardsmen would diminish as they would feel their worthlessness in the eyes of Ioras. Other way around he would look incompetent in his command by having dissent in his own ranks.

Luckily Julius gave him the first option by reciting the Astartes law, which was more preferable.

He looked at the Napthali and Balharethi guardsmen about. He needed these men to fight and die for him in the tomorrow's offensive. Their morale might decide the outcome of the whole attack. A mass retreating guardsmen is not what he needed right now.

He made his decision.

"I cannot-"

"My glorious Lords." came a strong voice.

With his aquila necklace dangling about at his hairy chest, Balharethi Captain Gazam Hakdan walked in towards them.

He bowed exaggeratedly spreading one arm sideways and other upon his chest. He bent so far that the top of his head was looking directly at Ioras.

"Speak, Captain."

"My Lord, my real title is Kavhim Chief and I am of Hashim Kavhim." he said rising up.

"So?"

"We of the Hashim Kavhim..." said Gazam swinging a hand towards half the Balharethi guardsmen where he was standing.

"Does not condone such an action within our ranks. This is clearly the unfaithfulness of the Harun Kavhim." he said pointing towards Malik's direction.

Shouting and insults from the fewer Harun Kavhim Balharethi rose.

Malik was silent but looked very displeased.

Ioras now realised what was going on within Balharethi ranks. There were two different Kavhim's fighting for control and somehow this Kavhim Chief Gazam challenged Malik's position as Kavhim Lord.

He came just in time to save Ioras from a bad decision and Ioras would not let that go to waste.

"So you condemn this guardsmen too?" asked Ioras already knowing the answer.

"He is a vile and faithless heretic." Gazam said spitting to the ground.

More shouting and curses from Harun side.

"As our esteemed Commissar Ibrak has stated, heresy is punishable by death, which your hollowed Brother delivered in all righteousness." he said as over-presenting as ever.

"He sounds true. Indeed individual regiments have their own codes." commented Gus.

"So with the agreement of the Adi Balhareth, I, Ioras of the Emperor's Spears found this guardsmen guilty of heresy and declare his name a traitor." Ioras said.

Ioras looked at the gathering and was pleased to see support in the eyes of the Napthali. It was a crime against one of their own and instead of a division, a unity had been established thanks to the declaration of the Kavhim Chief Gazam.

Harun side of the Balharethi looked unhappy with the decision but they were outnumbered by the cheering Hashims.

"Let this foul incident don't soil our last night before the glorious combat." shouted Gazam.

Out of all this incident, Horatus was not fazed a bit, he continued remaining patrol route as soon as the dispute is over.

Malik was sitting in a foxhole with his second in command Alexis. He was carving a piece of wood with his small slightly curved knife. It was a skinning knife but also doubled as carving and even stabbing if necessary.

"This is dung." he said carving the wood angrily.

Alexis didn't reply.

"He is not going to take my station that easily, I will get him back." said Malik raising his head towards Alexis.

Alexis stood for a moment.

"Money buys only the flesh, faith buys souls." he signalled. Alexis was both mute and deaf but his eyes were sharp and his hands fast.

"Oh, cut your Musan teachings." retorted Malik waving his skinning knife.

Alexis looked at him with a displeased impression on his face.

"Fine, fine. Sorry." Malik apologized.

A silence ensured.

"His way is not the faith you know, he-" Malik stopped.

A giant shape was above them.

Alexis rose to his feet as Julius landed in the trench.

Two guardsmen had tensed.

"Can I join?" asked Julius removing his helmet.

"Sure, sure. Long time." said Malik waving at Alexis to sit down.

Bulky guardsmen sat back and returned to reading a small yellow book in his hand.

"Come, sit Lord marine." said Malik grinning.

Julius pulled a metal ammo box and sat on it. Nothing else would support his weight.

His face looked aged and his hair was unkempt from the last time Julius saw him.

"What can I do for you?" asked Malik and kept on carving the wood.

"I heard you talking about, what was it between you and Gazam?" Julius asked.

"Ah, no courtesies then. Right to the point."

"I know you two are different Kavhims, whatever does that mean."

"You would not be interested in it." dismissed Malik.

"But I am, let's hear it." said Julius.

"Fine. Kavhims are raider clans of Balharra. His kavhim, The Hashim is a kavhim of raiders, they gain their leadership through fighting and fierceness. They loot through strength and rob the others of women and possessions."

"And yours?"

"I am of the Harun, we are merchants and diplomats first."

"And looters second?" asked Julius.

Malik looked at him "Part of the job. Need to pay Qurmens somehow." he said.

"Qurmen?"

"Literally means 'Dragsmen' as in dragged from the homeworld, but we use it to compensate the word 'Guardsmen'."

He continued, "We keep our fellow Qurmens by promising them booty and loot which we gain together."

"How is it different than his? You both raid and loot." asked Julius not seeing any difference between the raiding parties.

"Us of the Harun loot the easiest targets with the least effort then share the loot equally. We gain money by selling the loot to others in raised prices."

"And the Hashim?"

"They attack stronger targets and wounded who cant walk are left to die, also their Kavhim Chief and his kinsmen get a bigger share of loot than those outside the Kavhim."

"I see."

"You must understand that it is hard life on Balharra. Water, food, shelter, these are things that rarely come by in the open desert."

Julius nodded "And him?" he said nodding towards Alexis.

"Oh, him. He is a rare sort, one of Musan Kavhim."

"Musan?"

"Yes, they're priests more than raiders, but all of them are fighters nonetheless."

"He looks calmer than the rest of your rabble." said Julius.

"Musan are devoted to prayer and faith, they don't give earthly pleasures not much value."

"So they don't loot?"

"Sometimes, they usually need little and most survive on beggary." said Malik dismissively.

"What's the problem with Gazam?" Julius asked.

"He wants my position as Kavhim Lord."

"How so? Can it change hands?"

"You're Lord of something on Balharran tradition as long as you have followers. Everything on Balharra is decided by the people's will. If you don't have any followers than you are nothing."

He continued "I was keeping my Qurmen in line by promising them riches from this Pleasure World, women, food, drink, drugs, everything."

"And you failed."

"Because of you."

Julius just shook his head.

"And now they don't follow you?" he asked.

"Barely, Gazam of the Hashim promises them bolder things, conquest and glory, people are not aggressive when they're not pushed to their limit. At first they think an easy picking is the best so I can sway them to my side with promises of easy loot but now that we lost everything, they start to get bolder and more angry. When we first arrived at the planet, Gazam was seen as a lunatic who only wishes to fight and die. Now, they see him as a hero who can achieve great things."

"The Qurmen, the one Horatus shot."

"He was in my Kavhim, a Harun."

"And Gazam used the opportunity to increase his standing with the Qurmens."

"Yes, and now I am leading to ruin." said Malik.

Julius looked at Malik with indifference.

"And now your lord is playing the favourites with him." Malik said.

"Ioras? He doesn't play favourites with anybody."

"Well he ride the tide back there."

"He sure does."

"Can't you sway him to my side, I can compensate you well." Malik said with a grin.

"I hope you don't say other Space Marines such things, they get easily offended." Julius said unimpressed.

"No offense." said Malik raising his hands.

"Anyway that's not how Astartes works. I follow his commands, not the other way around."

"That other Marine sure shot my men without orders though."

Julius had lost interest in Malik.

He got up and started to leave.

"Hey! Why did you even come here for?" shouted Malik behind him.

Julius answered without turning and kept walking "Just wanted to get my mind off things." he said.

"Can you believe that guy, I thought this was going somewhere." said Malik tapping Alexis on the arm.

Alexis ignored him and kept reading his prayer book.