-XLII-
"So 'Stoic', how did it go?" asked Zenum.
"Can't you tell?" replied Jeliha showing his wrinkled collar.
"We can, but it's better to hear it out, just to be clear and all."
The rest of the squad was within ear shot.
"They're not in on the deal, moreover they're clueless." Jeliha said.
"That's good." said Bruskia with his missile launcher strapped to his back.
"It's not, we could use some Astartes support." said Henrietta with her long-las across her chest.
"She's right, why didn't you try to convince them?" asked Zenum.
"You don't convince a Space Marine, they have thick skulls." replied Jeliha.
"So how do we proceed?" asked Henrietta.
"Nothings changed, we have our orders." said Jeliha.
Julius woke up. His head pounded and he realised that he was drooling all over his chest plate.
He rocked when the trojan he was riding on pumped over uneven metal plating.
Across him was a man with short red curly hair who looked at him in amazement.
He seemed to adore his armour and his stature as if to devour the Space Marine's glory with his eyes.
Curly hair was wearing blue overalls and realised that Julius was awake.
"H-hi." he said.
"Who are you?" Julius asked his sight still blurry.
"Semdek, I'm a Junior Engineer."
Julius rose to a sit, his armour groaned as it scraped to the metallic hull of the trojan.
"What happened?" asked Julius.
"I-um, they brought you up here, passed out. Then they left." said Semdek.
"They?"
"Your brothers."
"Oh."
Semdek looked at him with quick glimpses not daring to stare.
Julius realised that he didn't introduce himself.
"I'm Julius, Emperor's Spears." he said presenting a hand.
Semdek looked at the over sized gauntlet for a minute, not sure if to grasp it or not.
He did it anyways. His small hand disappeared in the Astartes' gauntlet.
"Nice to meet you." he said.
"You're a non-combatant?" Julius pointed out.
"Uh, yes, yes I am." said Semdek looking at himself as if to confirm his word.
"Then why are you on this convoy?" Julius asked.
"I am an Engineer, I repair the machines."
"You a member of Cult Mechanicus then?" asked Julius raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Oh, throne no. I am in the support division."
"I see." said Julius.
"I have a thing for machines you see, I'm still learning but I can fix many things." Semdek said proud of himself.
"That's good." said Julius.
They stood silent for a minute before Semdek broke silence.
"Um, your armour, it's really old isn't it?"
"How can you tell?"
"Well the ceremite plates are shaped again and again from various dents, also some parts of it are re-welded, I didn't know such as thing was even possible." said Semdek.
"You are observant. It is thousands of years old as far as I know. Many battle brothers wore it before me."
"Why did they gave you their own armour? Did they get newer ones?" asked Semdek sincerely.
"They died." said Julius.
"Oh. I'm sorry." said Semdek his face turning red with shame.
"Don't be. It's a Space Marine's duty to fight for the Emperor." said Julius.
Julius got up.
"You leaving?" asked Semdek.
"Have to, have to rally with my brothers." he said.
"Wait!" Semdek almost jumped remembering something.
"You dropped this." he handed out a small object.
It was the golden aquila Julius found at the trenches. It's relation to the dead Imperial guard was unknown to Semdek and he probably thought it was a thing of religious importance to Julius, maybe even a Chapter related icon of importance. It had a more grim meaning to Julius than glory and faith.
He put the icon back in it's place.
"Thank you." he said.
"Good luck out there. Emperor protects." said Semdek.
"Be safe." said Julius jumping down onto the Orkish metal plating bending it.
He walked hurriedly and managed to catch up with Extus.
"Here he comes." said Deciaci hearing Julius' distinct footsteps.
Horatus glimpsed without slowing down.
Julius came and walked beside him looking at the dents in his armour. There was a severe crack on Horatus' helmet just above the eye lens.
"I did that?" gasped Julius unable to believe it.
"You did, what came over you back there?" Horatus asked.
"Me? You killed him first." said Julius anger rising up in his voice.
"Of course I did, the damned thing was clutched at you. You're welcome." said Horatus.
Julius felt his anger rose as Horatus talking about his brother like he was a thing.
"You killed him and now you want my thanks?" roared Julius.
"Well, come to think of it, I never thought you might want to kill the damned Ork yourself."
"Ork?" asked Julius.
"Yeah, a big one too, his teeth would make good trophies. But instead I got this." Horatus said tapping a hand on the severed arm dangling from his belt.
Julius recoiled seeing the severed arm.
"I know, I know, it isn't the kind of trophy you would expect. But it's a kill and I'll swap it with something fancy later on if I came across such a thing." said Horatus.
"Lord Ioras allowed you too keep it?" asked Deciaci.
Horatus shrugged.
"I'm not Galieo, but I doubt he would let that thing aboard Golema once we return." came Ioras' voice over the vox.
Julius was still shocked looking at the dangling Ork arm.
Horatus realised his fixed gaze.
"No, you can't have it. I killed the Ork and I have the right to take it." he said.
Ioras slowed his pace to allow Julius to catch up.
"You are not going to cause another ruckus are you, Julius?" he asked, his voice warning.
"No lord, I'm not." Julius answered.
"Why did you attack Horatus back there? I hope you have a convincing explanation." said Ioras.
Julius composed himself and remembered how Horatus shot a guardsmen because of an insult.
"I-I wanted a trophy and the Ork insulted the Emperor's name. I wanted to make him pay but Horatus shot him first." lied Julius.
"He did? Warped greenskin. I'm glad I shot him then." said Horatus.
"And that is all that happened back there?" asked Ioras, suspiciously.
"Yes, lord. I am sorry I failed you." apologized Julius.
"Again." added Ioras.
"Lord?"
"First you broke rank because of your ill temper and now this. You are being a liability Julius, I start to wish that I injected something more powerful than a low dosage of primeur back there." said Ioras.
"Lord, please do not lose hope on me. I know I wasn't performing perfectly in this operation, but I am still a Space Marine and I will perform my duties to the end." said Julius his voice almost pathetic.
"I have no choice but to use you while we are here Julius. But know that there will be consequences for these actions once we get back to the fortress monastery back on Aegenia." said Ioras.
"I understand. I accept any punishment." replied Julius.
"You can still change this, I am not going to throw you into the maws of the Chaplains if you perform admirably."
"I will try to fulfil your expectation, lord." said Julius.
"Don't just try to fulfil my expectations, try to fulfil the Emperor's." said Ioras.
"That sounded like something Galieo would say." quipped Horatus.
"It's a teaching of the Chapter." said Ioras taking it seriously.
"We are almost across the chasm." reported Achagon closing by.
"We are." said Ioras looking at the steep angle they are facing.
The Ork side was not visible from the bridge at all. If they would came under fire now or if the Orks counter-charged they would be in a bad position.
But the constant artillery shelling of the Naphtali Basilisks kept the Orks away from the vulnerable Imperial column crossing the Orky bridge.
"Once we pass, our forces will fan out and spread in a combat approach. Then we thrust deep into the Ork zone." said Ioras.
Some of the Spears nodded.
Julius was took busy within his own mind to even register Ioras talking.
"An Ork? An Ork! I tried to save an Ork? But I have seen Decimus. He needed my help." he thought.
He looked at the Ork arm dangling from Horatus' belt.
"Maybe the Ork attacked Decimus, maybe they were replaced, maybe my vision was blurred." he tried to reason with himself.
"Oh throne, I attacked my brother for this. I cracked his helmet because of an Ork. God Emperor help me." he prayed.
He started to recite the 'Prayer of emperor our saviour'.
"Keep me in the light, Lord Emperor on mankind."
"Protect my soul from foulness of the heretic."
"Protect my skin from the corruption of chaos."
"Protect my body from the violence of Xenos."
"I submit myself, mind, body and soul to your will."
"I humbly ask you to shield me from the damnation."
"Deliver me to your light and don't let me astray."
"The shepherd of mankind keep me in your heart."
"And protect me from myself."
He finished the prayer making the sign of the aquila.
Horatus saw this "I didn't took you for the faithful one." he said.
"Keep your tongue inside, Horatus." snapped Julius still haunted by images of Decimus' fall.
Malik and his Qurmen were riding at the back of one of the Chimeras passing beside the Naphtali infantry.
Two of the guardsmen were talking to one another in whispers.
Malik broke his rest, interested.
"What are you talking about?" he said.
Qurmen Cafur looked at Malik and then to his comrade, unsure to answer.
"Well?" pushed Malik.
"We were talking about the women on the other regiment." said Cafur.
"What about them?" asked Malik curious.
"Well there's this one, a really nice one, colonel." said Cafur smiling nervously.
The assault incident and the summary execution of their fellow Balharethi didn't did much to improve the morale among the ranks, and now the Balharethi guardsmen were cautious as not to attract the wraith of the Space Marines once more.
"Have I never told you to call me that?" said Malik.
"You did Kahvim Lord, sorry." said Cafur meakly.
Malik looked towards the walking Naphtali.
"Which one?" he asked.
Cafur nodded towards a guardswomen, she wasn't particularly young but still looked pretty.
"That one?" Malik said.
"Well, yeah." Cafur said.
Beside Cafur was Imras.
"What I wouldn't give for a night." he commented smirking.
Malik was entertained "What exactly would you give?" he asked.
Imras looked at him "Well, a lot."
"Would you give your arm? Or a leg?" asked Malik.
Imras looked annoyed "Why would I do that?"
"Well, you're the one to talk bold but I doubt you would have the courage to even talk to her." Malik taunted.
"I would...but you know, after that incident with the marines. I rather not." said Imras.
"Scared of a little marine are we?" Malik kept taunting.
The relation between Qurmen and their Kavhim Lords were a detached one. Malik knew that these men only followed his because of his abilities to deliver riches, he also knew that the instant he failed he would lost his Qurmen to some other Kavhim Chief.
Malik really had to sympathy or care for his Qurmen.
"Well I bet you can't talk to her either." challenged Imras.
Malik looked at the guardswomen as if to scale his odds.
"My charms would be wasted." he said.
"Ha! I knew it." laughed Imras.
"What's the deal here? What are going to pay me if I do it?" Malik asked.
Imras went through his pockets.
"I have this." he brought out a bent silver aquila icon.
He grinned looking at Malik.
"That's a piece of camel dung." said Malik disgusted by the hair stuck at the wings of the aquila.
"You have anything Cafur?" Imrak asked.
Cafur produced a well crafted box.
"I have this." he presented, opening the lid.
It contained two high quality toba-cigars, the other three cigar places were empty.
"How did you get those?" gasped Imrak amazed by the expensive cigars.
"Well, son. I also wonder the same question. Those are some aristocrat quality product right there." said Malik leaning forward.
Cafur closed the lid and pulled the box close to himself as if to defend the precious cigars from them.
"I found it on one of the pleasure girls we were supposed to sell." he said.
"And how exactly did you find it upon her person." asked Malik raising an eyebrow.
"You want one or not?" said Cafur.
"Sure, so all I have to do is go there an talk to her?" asked Malik.
"And not get slapped or shot at." added Cafur.
"Fine. But you better be true when I get back." said Malik and rose.
"Wait, what do I get if I win?" asked Cafur.
"You get to be a Kavhim Chief." offered Malik.
Cafur's eyes were bright with anticipation.
"When?"
"As soon as I got rid of that gber Gazam." Malik said jumping down.
Hilaa was walking apart from the first platoon. She didn't want them to hear her pray. She had flawless high gothic and she didn't wanted others to hear it too much. Such a thing would distance her from the common guardsmen.
She liked to pray before a battle, it always calmed her senses and focus one's mind.
"Faith is the foundation, I lay my life upon it."
"I trust in your guidance, and accept your wisdom, O Lord." she recited as a figure appeared beside her.
"Hi there." said Malik keeping a distance but walking at her pace.
Hilaa scanned him from bottom to top in silence, trying to decipher if he had any foul tricks to play.
"I'm clean, I only have my gear upon my person." said Malik rising his hands to prove his innocence.
"What do you want?" she said with a disinterested expression.
"Just to talk."
"Why?"
"I figured it's important to gain new friends."
"Why would I want to be friends with you, Balharethi?" she said offensively.
"Well, You have seen the worst of us, I just wanted to balance the scales a little." said Malik referring to the assault incident back at the trenches.
Hilaa didn't bought it, she looked forward and kept walking.
"What if I don't want to talk to you." she said.
"Then back to my fellow jolly bunch, I guess." said Malik disappointed.
When Hilaa didn't reply he continued.
"I would talk to that big bald guy with a heavy stubber beside him, but he never replies back." he said pointing at Alexis reading his little yellow book.
Hilaa glimpsed at Alexis.
"Why? Does he find you annoying too?" she asked trying to be as offensive as she can.
"Probably, but I think it's probably because he is mute." said Malik with a straight face.
Hilaa smirked involuntarily.
"So would you talk to me or are you going to condemn me to those guys?" he said.
"Your captain seems pretty talkative, why not talk to him?" Hilaa asked.
"He doesn't like me, politics you see." Malik answered.
"I see." Hilaa said.
"Besides I really want to learn about your regiment, that's all."
"So why didn't you choose any of the men here to talk and came to me directly instead?" she asked as if to trip him.
"Women are always better than men in terms of empathy, men of your regiment wouldn't even respond to me after that nasty business back at the camp."
"And why would you assume I was the one to approach? I abhor his actions as any men. He was one of your men and you are their leader." Hilaa said.
"I do lead them can't dodge a bullet there, however that men was a real psychopath to begin with, I'm glad he bit the sand."
"You're glad that one of your men died?" she asked.
"I don't own the soldiers under my command, they follow because I am capable of providing them with their needs to survive. That is the Balharethi way." explained Malik.
"We follow our leaders because of duty not needs." Hilaa said.
"That's noble of you, but we don't have such luxuries on Balharra."
"You're not on Balharra anymore." she reminded.
"Same thing, at Balharra the dunes try to kill you, out here the Imperium does it's worse to supply us while the Orks try to kill us."
"It is our duty to fight for the Emperor."
"Well, I don't see any tanks rolling in our colours, do you?"
She felt that he was right, Napthal was wealthy and she never knew hardship to that extend, the war had it's hardships but when she heard about other planets called Death Worlds, ones like the infamous Catachan or Krieg, then she realised how wrong she was to judge other guardsmen so quickly. They were fighting the same enemy and these Balharethi had it even worse.
"It still doesn't give your men the right for sexual assault." she said.
"Oh, Ilimbaratur of course it doesn't." said Malik.
"Ilimbaratur?"
"Means Emperor in Balhareth."
"I see."
"You know what, I'm going to let you in on a secret." said Malik grinning.
"Can't wait." she replied neutrally.
"No outside would hear this but I think you have a special case by being...you know."
She looked at him.
"If that guy survived and we learned of what he did, I would shoot the filth myself for such a sin, it's the Balharran way." said Malik proudly.
He was lying. On Balharra you kept what you won. Ammo, food, slaves, vehicles, women. Unless a women could defend herself on Balharra then it was open season for anyone. And tribe wars were common for prized viwes. Leaders stealing a certain women again and again from each other until one of them or the women dies. Life was not pretty on the unforgiving sands of Balharra.
"You 'Captain' called out that he was a heretic, not you." she pointed out.
"Well he was my tribe, I was ashamed. Obviously I..." Malik went on.
Aaron appeared from nowhere.
"What is going on here?" he yelled as he walked quickly towards the duo.
"We were just..." Hilaa began.
"Why are you talking to her, Malik?" Aaron roared at Malik.
"Do I have to remind you that I am your superior, Captain?" Malik said frowning.
"Court martial me you piece of mettavlav Balharethi." swore Aaron.
"Mind your tongue or I will show you how to mind it." Malik responded.
"Cut it out!" Hilaa shouted.
They both fell silent for a moment eyes locked.
"Leave her be or..." began Aaron.
"Or what? You gonna beat me up little boy?" asked Malik putting his arms behind him to show a wide front, also to emphasize that he wasn't the one to throw the first punch.
Aaron was about to rise the situation but Hilaa grabbed his arm tight, squeezing his triceps till they hurt.
"Let's go back to the line, Captain." she said.
"I'm not done with this..." Aaron began.
"Yes, you are." Malik said.
"I never caught your name but this conversation just turned sour and I have to leave, sorry." said Malik to Hilaa turning to leave.
Aaron was grinding his teeth as Hilaa held him back.
"Oh! Look at the bickering guardsmen." a voice came laughing from behind them.
Spahkii stormtroopers were sitting on what appeared to be Orkish crates containing various tools and...stuff, unless you want to say 'garbage'.
"Stay out of this paper boy." called out Aaron.
Jeliha rose up "But I'm having so much fun, look guys a guardsmen trying to protect his precious girlfriend." mocked Jeliha, a laughter rose from Spahkii including the women stormtroopers among them.
Jeliha was slowly pacing at them in a relaxed pose.
"He is not my..." shouted Aaron but Jeliha cut in.
"I get it, I get it, you're just friends, fuck-friends I might add." Jeliha said, more laughter.
Aaron's face went red both from anger and shame.
Jeliha was close now.
"So can we have a go at this sweet thing or do we have to get in line?" asked Jeliha rising a hand to touch Hilaa's hair.
Aaron moved, his fist rose up and just before it struck the Spahkii Captain in the face it stopped abruptly.
He looked to the side in a blurry vision, to see what was hindering him from striking this son of a Grot. He came face to face with Malik.
Malik was beside him and had grabbed Aaron's arm in a strong arm-grip to stop the thrusting punch.
"That man pulled a grenade to a Space Marine few minutes ago. I wouldn't mess with him if I were you." Malik warned Aaron, almost breathing to his face.
"He will not ins..." Aaron began.
"Just let me handle this." said Malik.
He put a restraining hand on Aaron's chest and slowly pushed him away from still grinning Jeliha.
Malik looked at Jeliha "Piss off, Captain." he said.
Jeliha closed in on Malik "I would, but I doubt the sands will absorb it. Wanna try?" he said.
"You're talking to a Colonel, soldier." said Malik standing upright in a relaxed pose.
"So? You're just guardsmen. It doesn't mean anything." said Jeliha.
"It means we are here to save your red bright butts from the Orks when the firing started."
"That is if you don't run away like the last time."
"Ah Captain, stop it. You're going to insult my honour." said Malik grinning.
Jeliha had no answer.
"Ran out of clever insults eh? Well let me educate you and your glory boys on some real tough dung." said Malik.
"If we..." began Jeliha.
"Tsk tsk tsk" said Malik swinging a finger sideways to Jeliha's face, "This is where you shut up, turn around and go be good little toy soldiers." he said.
"You just made the wrong people unhappy, Colonel" Jeliha sneered then turned to leave without waiting for an answer.
Malik turned to look at the the Chimera. Alexis was up on his feet with his heavy stubber in his hands, other Qurmen also had their rifles on the ready.
"Easy. It's okay." signalled Malik to Alexis, rest of the Balharethi also understood the gestures.
Malik started to walk towards the Chimera but a gentle hand grabbed his arm.
He turned to find Hilaa.
"My name is Hilaa Ahava. Sergeant of the 1st Infantry" she said.
"Great to meet you Hilaa, despite the unpleasant circumstances. I am Erdul Malik of the 9th Raiders." Malik added.
"Nice to know you Erdul." she said, Malik nodded.
He looked at the still red and shaking Aaron, "Take it easy, Captain. It wouldn't worth it anyways." he said then left them be.
"That fodder-cap backhanded you good, Captain." mocked Zenum looking at Henrietta with a side glance to see if she was impressed by his joke.
"Cut the crap, Peasant. They're just cannon fodder" said Jeliha walking calmly.
"Yes, sir." Zenum said displeased.
"Can't we get a ride on one of those things." said Nurmol.
"I'm not stopping you." Jeliha said.
"Well let's get back on the road, enough laying around." said Bruskia lifting his missile launcher off the ground.
"I thought I was the one who called the shots here, Delivery. You know, being the Captain an all." Jeliha said.
"And I'm the one carrying the warped missile launcher." replied Bruskia.
"I'm carrying the rockets!" shouted Nurmol insanely.
"I know, and I hope they manage to shoot those so our ears would be liberated." said Jeliha.
"You are being mean to him, Captain." said Henrietta in a sweet voice.
"I'm sorry if I broke your heart, doll." said Jeliha.
"My call sign isn't 'doll'." objected Henrietta.
"I know." grinned Jeliha.
Henrietta threw him a mean look.
"Okay, let's pack up and hit the road." said Jeliha rising.
Malik climbed atop the Chimera and sat beside his Qurmen.
"What's the deal with the glory hound?" signalled Alexis asking about the incident with the stormtrooper.
"He made a camel ass out of himself, nothing to worry about." signalled Malik back.
Malik stared blankly for a moment thinking about Hilaa's pretty smile, before he realised he forgot something.
He looked at Cafur who was trying so hard to ignore Malik.
"Hey where is my prize, camel-wipe!" he shouted.
Cafur startled, he didn't want to part with his pretty toba-cigar.
"Hand it out, I won. She even told me her name." said Malik opening a demanding hand.
"So what's her name?" asked Imras eagerly.
"Not your business." he answered the eager Qurmen.
"Give me my cigar or I will have Alexis teach you his wisdom of the importance on oath-keeping." he threatened.
Cafur hand out a single cigar to Malik.
Malik smelled the cigar, it smelled raw and exotic. The mix of dried leaves found in these rich cigars was exquisite.
"Damn, this is high quality." he said to himself.
"I guess that means I don't get to be a Kavhim Chief." said Cafur sadly.
Malik burned his cigar took in a breath.
Alexis looked up from his book to Malik.
"I thought you forbade the worldly pleasures." Malik signalled.
Alexis signalled back something vulgar about Malik being a two faced bastard and one of his faces resembling a camel-ass.
"Okay, okay." Malik said breaking the cigar and lighting the second half before handing it out to Alexis.
The huge guardsmen breathed deep, not letting go of the smoke for a time.
Malik looked at the cigar and then at Cafur.
"Don't let your hopes down, I still need a future Kavhim Chief." he said.
"Really? When?" Cafur's eyes gone bright.
"Soon. Very soon." Malik said taking in a breath.
Aaron and Hilaa walked together away from the rest.
"What were you talking about? Or rather why?" Aaron said at last unable to contain his anger.
"We were just chatting." she replied.
"Chatting? With them?" Aaron said angrily.
"He just told me some things about his world, that's all."
"Oh, so he was hitting on you." said Aaron.
"No, he wasn't, how on Terra did you even came up to such a ridiculous conclusion." Hilaa got angry.
"I didn't, that's what you told me."
"How could you think that I would allow such a thing?" Hilaa said heartbroken.
"But-"
"What's so wrong with a little talk that you find the right to condemn me like an Inquisitor." Hilaa said.
"Have you forgotten how they ran away and left our flank exposed?" Aaron asked unable to comprehend Hilaa's outburst.
Wasn't Balharethi all worthless scum? Weren't they cowards and thieves?
"I remember but that's not the point. We didn't even talk that much." Hilaa defended herself.
"Well that's how they enter you skin, first a small chat and then more talking. These men are snakes." Aaron said.
"Those snakes at least had the decency to stand up to that wipe-face of a stormtrooper." Hilaa almost shouted the words out.
Aaron stood silent, unable to respond. He still felt ashamed for his outburst, if he would punched that Spahkii he would either be court marshalled or got beat up real bad in front of his men. Malik was right, the stormtooper Captain was not to be trifled with but he couldn't control himself.
Hilaa looked at him realising his silence.
"I-I'm sorry, I went too far." she apologized.
"No, I'm sorry, Hilaa, I shouldn't have implied such accusations on you." Aaron said.
"You damn well shouldn't." said Hilaa hitting Aaron in the shoulder playfully.
"There is just no winning with you is there?" Aaron joked.
"Nope." she replied with a serious face.
"Look Hilaa, you know what happened back at the camp, these Balharethi are an all men guardsmen unit and there bound to be such incidents. I'm just trying to protect you, please try to understand. I have a responsibility and I wasn't there the first time it happened. I hell won't let such a thing again, not to you or anyone else." explained Aaron.
"It's so sweet of you Aaron, but I can protect myself, I appreciate your concern but I don't need a personal bodyguard." Hilaa replied.
"Okay." said Aaron smiling.
She smiled back lovingly.
Aaron was a people's men, everything came after his men and Hilaa saw Aaron plenty of times doing something out of mind for his men. And women.
One of Hilaa's squadmember signalled her from afar.
"Excuse me, Captain. I need to check it out." she said giving a quick salute and leaving.
Aaron watched her leave for a moment.
"Huh. Protect myself." he sneered.
"Isn't that what all the women say before something bad happens." he said to himself, lighting an Lho-stick.
Aaron was going be on alert from now on.