"To give the faceless a mirror is a heinous crime,"-?

Being on the frontlines and now in training to become a grenadier of the 82nd was something truly life changing. Then again everything since I was conscripted has been life changing, the training, mental conditioning, and now the fighting all had a part in it. Thank the Emperor I met S-1049; I don't think either of us would have made it this far without the other, though I have the feeling he needs me more than I need him.

The hardest thing I've had to do so far hasn't even been fighting the battles. It was when I visited my family on our last day on Surris… well I was glad S-1049 was there to keep my resolve strong. In retrospect saying goodbye to them would have been much harder if not for the training. The Korps had prepared us for it; I still remember Watchmaster B-52's speech before we all left for our last day on Surris.

We were lined up in tight blocks in proper numerical order as usual when he began. "As you all know after today you will forever leave this world behind to fight for our holy Emperor. I ask only that each of you spend your last day on your world with discipline and dignity as any Korpsman should. Tell your guardians and loved ones, if you have any that you are to be heroes." He paused as if remembering something and then the strangest thing happened. Watchmaster B-52, this unwavering machine that molded us into what we are now spoke in a soft tone very unlike the always stern and even voice we all had come to know well. "Remember to report an hour early before the other regiments for departure… The Emperor protects."

With that he had dismissed us to spend the last day we would ever get on our home-world. Those few hours with my family should have been frightening, sad, or any number of things which they weren't. I just went through the motions… it was like watching myself in the third-person outside of my body. As if I had control but all the emotions, the real feelings were muted.

Except for the contentment I felt because of S-1049. Is that really all right though? Shouldn't I have felt something… sure I put up a good front with the hugs and all but it was like a conditioned response… not something I really meant?

Anyway that's all in the past now, I have to keep strong for the future. We've come so far already S-1049 and I. Now being trained by Death Korps grenadiers we've got our work cut out for us. I have a feeling what we do from here on out will make that first charge seem like an easy task by comparison. It all seems so sudden and abrupt; it wasn't a promotion per say, but I can't help but feel that we're not really ready for this. We shouldn't be among these other men and women; after all we only survived one charge they must have all been veterans of the most horrific kinds of battles.

Speaking of battles we had just wrapped up our fourth one not moments ago. Since the beginning of our advance into the city beyond no-mans-lands we had encountered no more than three instances of resistance. The first two we took care of with little trouble, the rebels we fought were merely boys and girls, maybe a smidge younger than S-1049 and I. They were undisciplined and we had caught them off guard, taking them out with the concentrated fire of our weapons quickly enough.

The third and most recent skirmish had been a little more… difficult. The rebel forces we encountered were what appeared to be veterans of the short conflict. They were able to draw out a short firefight with us, utilizing cover effectively enough that we couldn't get at them outright.

Then S-1049's old friend Xavier showed up along with the rest of his unit. We had heard that we were to meet up with a recon team from the 121st Hoarfell. However, it did come as somewhat of a… surprise that it had been Xavier's squad.

Anyway, when they arrived on the scene the effect was immediate. From the rebels left flank they had concentrated their fire taking down a good number of the dozen or so rebels. The rebels began to panic seeking cover from the new threat and in doing so sealed their fate as they exposed themselves to us. The fight was over in seconds with no casualties on our part so far in the mission.

For once I was… glad to see guardsmen other than those of the Korps. If Xavier's unit hadn't arrived when it did we very well may have lost a few of our number. And as any good Korpsman will tell you the Korps does not like waste. We will need as many able bodied guardsmen as we could get for what was to come of that I am certain.

After a brief moment of Watchmaster B-63 and Sergeant Grime discussing what to do next and Xavier voxing our current situation in to command we were again off into the sprawling city. Toward the Northern industrial heart of the underhive we went, intent on evaluating the rebel threat it posed as well as causing as much disruption to their operations as we could.

Moving through the clogged yet still massive streets of the underhive it was hard to imagine that loyal servants of the Emperor had once resided here. The plascrete was covered in some sort of muck, probably run-off from the industrial district. The closer we got to the district the more prominent the muck got which didn't bode well for us.

It was all so different from Surris, this world wasn't open at all, the air was cold, but it wasn't fresh. The city despite it's illusion of size and openness still made me feel closed in and cramped. I threw these thoughts out of my head quickly to focus on the situation so that I could perform better if we came into contact with an enemy.

In all likelihood it meant that the rebels have been using the manufacturing capabilities of the industrial district to maximum effect and were arming their troops with whatever weapons they could cobble together.

There was movement… but only in the corners of my vision. From the way everyone else was tense I could tell that the others could see it too and had the same feeling of being watched as I did. If it were rebels we'd already have been fired upon, so that left civilians. Most likely scared and not knowing which side to back.

Then again that wasn't my concern, they would probably be purged anyway once this was all said and done, regardless of whether they were rebel sympathizers or not. The seeds of rebellion had been planted partially in the inhabitants minds and once they rooted they were hard to get out. So nothing short of total extermination would do… at least that is what some of our superiors would have us believe.

Like any good trooper I would not question it if the order came down. Just had to shut it out; keep my mind occupied with other things while my body did the Emperor's bidding. I could tell that this was the difference between S-1049 and me; he couldn't stop thinking, even though he wanted to.

The streets began to converge at some kind of main junction as we neared the industrial sector. The broken auto-cabs gridlocked and the hab-faces looking down upon the street crumbled, rubble and debris providing good cover for an ambush. However, none came and we continued on, treading carefully as we finally entered the district.

Watchmaster B-63 motioned for us all to drop and we did so, seemingly in unison. The impact of falling to the rockcrete was dulled by my new carapace armor. The guardsmen from the Hoarfell were close behind us, they seemed to disappear in the rubble because of their loose ragged uniforms and cloaks; after a few silent moments the reason for our sudden stop came into view. A few dozen rebels were running from an opposite block and merging onto ours, right ahead of us. We were outnumbered four to one by the look of it.

They seemed not to have noticed us as they ran toward the industrial sector, the manufactories now in view, probably stragglers from our first engagement clambering to regroup with the main force. Once they were a ways past, nearly out of sight beyond the wreckage of the city, Watchmaster B-63 motioned for us to stand and stay put for the moment while he went over to the Hoarfell sergeant to discuss what I guess our options were.

Soon we were on the move again and at a brisk pace toward the largest of the factories in the sector. Once we were as close as we could hazard without the rebels being able to spot us we set up in a nearby Hab. It was in shambles and obviously had been long abandoned even before the uprising. From there we began to map out the area; our squad secured the area. The Hoarfell troopers conducted a limited recon of the immediate area before reporting back, we regrouped at the Hab. Watchmaster B-63 and the sergeant were discussing an attack plan while the rest of us were taking a quick rest.

Those of us in the Korps mostly kept to ourselves. Some like me ate small protein bars, smuggling them under our masks quickly. A few others slurped protein paste through feeding tubes. The Hoarfell guardsmen including S-1049's friend Xavier also kept in their own group, although they were livelier than we were. They were using the moment of downtime to play a quick card game whilst chatting with each other.

Maybe I was feeling bold, curious, nostalgic, or keck I don't really even know but something possessed me to get up from where my group was and go over to theirs. S-1049 gave me what was probably a look of concern; I couldn't be sure though because of the mask. The other grenadiers didn't really show much interest or concern and if they felt it they didn't voice their opinions. Crossing the small room quickly I stood in-front of the Hoarfell squad not moments from when I first stood up.

My lasgun was pointed in a non-threatening and safe position at the floor of the hab and my posture was ready but not ridged. Xavier was the first to take notice of me and when he looked the others turned one by one as well to see was the fuss was about, 'what the in the warp?' must have gone through their minds as they took in the sight of me. One of them even seemed to give me a dirty look, though I think I may have misinterpreted.

"Uh, we movin' out? Cause I figured the sarg would get us." One of them asked. It was a valid question and given their experience with the Korps so far, it really was to be expected.

"No, this trooper was just wondering if it could participate in your group for a moment." My voice wasn't unpleasant, but it was flat and devoid of much enthusiasm. They all gave me a look except for Xavier who seemed to be contemplating something.

"Say what?" Finally answered the man who had questioned me before, Xavier quickly cut in.

"I think," Xavier started with slight amusement in his voice, "she wants to play a hand with us Cain."

The one who I now knew as Cain turned back to me from looking at Xavier with a not unpleasant surprised look upon his features. "Oh, sure I'll just re-deal the cards then. Come on guys hand 'em in." There were groans and minor protests from the group save for Xavier and Cain.

"You're just doing this 'cause it saved you from losing Cain." Stated a rather skinny looking fellow with a long-las by his side, I noticed it appreciatively; I was a very good shot myself and had often wanted to specialize and become a sniper. Being a grenadier now I might actually get the chance to do just that if I survived long enough.

"No that's just your paranoia Eli. You're lucky she came along when she did, because I was 'bout to win." Cain said with a flourish of his hands as he skillfully shuffled and dealt the cards again now for five players instead of four.

"Yeah right you have a tell so easy to spot that it's almost sad to play against you," replied another man with some humor in his voice and a smirk on his face.

"Hey I do not," countered Cain indignantly.

"You really want to talk about tells Hack. Every time you think your in trouble you rub your left ear." Xavier put in off-handedly.

"Way to give it away to the rest of them Xavier thanks a lot," Hack spat back.

I was still standing as all this was going on; hopelessly lost with something I couldn't quite place bubbling up in the pit of my stomach. Xavier finally noticed, "Hey you gonna stand there, or are you gonna play?" He asked a slight but seemingly sincere smile on his face. The others looked to me expectantly, even the one who had seemed to dislike me the most Eli…at least I think it was Eli. I hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down placing my lasgun to the side within easy reach should I need it.

Cain dealt me my cards; I accepted them and then the game began. I didn't quite understand at first, but then realized that it was just a slight variation of some old childhood card game commonly played on Surris; trying to bluff your way through the rounds to convince the other players that you had the higher hand. They could call you out if they felt you were lying thus resulting in a standoff of sorts. If their hand beat out yours in terms of value you lost and were out or vice-versa.

The game was one of deception and cunning, gauging your opponents on their movements, expressions, and other similar 'tells' by which to determine if your opponent was indeed bluffing. The rounds went by quickly and I found myself winning quite often, only Xavier seemed to be keeping up with me in terms of when I was bluffing or not.

"Alright, I think I speak for everyone when I say that the mask is an unfair advantage." Eli stated aloud as he threw his cards down after losing for the third time to me. "I mean I have no idea how to tell when you're lying, for all we know she could be making faces at us from behind that thing."

"I second Eli's concern. Though I doubt she's mocking us." Hack replied evenly.

I knew instantly what they were trying to get me to do and I really didn't want to.

"This trooper is not taking off its mask," I stated evenly.

"Ah come on it's not like we're asking you to curse the Omnissiah, or violate a statue of the Emperor here." Eli said with dramatic hand gestures, "Just asking you to give us a fair chance at winning."

"This trooper's answer is still no." I replied calmly.

"But…" Eli was cut off quickly.

"Leave it alone Eli, it's just a game no need to get bent out of shape." Xavier said

"Yeah man she doesn't have to be taking off her mask just because you're losing so badly." Cain put in jovially.

Eli sighed, "Yeah sure whatever."

The game went on in silence for a while until Cain broke it "So, what's your name?"

The question was clearly directed at me and the others seemed to perk up at this save for Xavier, probably because he already knew what I was going to say.

"This trooper's designation is S-1050-82." I replied. They all gave me looks, they probably suspected I'd say something along those lines but were hoping for something different.

Eli was the first to speak up, "I think I speak for everyone when I say he meant the name your parents gave you."

"Yeah, you were born on Surris right?" Hack added.

"Yes." I replied in return.

"Okay then what's your name?" Cain questioned again.

I paused; it was like an itch you can't scratch. The answer was on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't for the life of me get it out, it took a while for my response to come forth. And when it did come out it was something along the lines of, "I uh…"

Hack seemed to pick up on it, "Emperor what did the Death Korps do to you guys?"

"You had a family right? How about you tell us about them; if that would be more comfortable for you," Xavier said trying to salvage the situation.

"Yeah, I'll go for that, it'd be good to hear about some people from home," Eli put in.

"Okay." I started tentatively, "this trooper had a father, mother, and one sister. We were like most families, this trooper's father and it worked at separate parts of the manufactorum. He was a supervisor and this trooper was just a line worker." I paused for a moment to consider something I couldn't quite place. "…Mother stayed home with this trooper's little sister Sila. Father and this trooper used to return to home cooked meals each night."

"Hmm, well least your family is still alive right? Mine got killed in the artillery strikes during the early part of the war," stated Eli somberly.

"Yeah, same here, some of 'em anyway," Hack added.

"The war took something from everyone." Xavier said solemnly.

"Yeah and if it didn't than the draft sure as keck did," Cain stated with a snort. The rest of the group chuckled slightly at that; I didn't know why, it was true.

"So S-1050 how you and Xavier's friend meet," Hack questioned with some mischief in his voice.

"Oh for Emperors sake really Hack?" Eli said indignantly, "you don't have to answer that." He said the statement clearly directed at me. The meaning behind Hack's question was not lost on me, had we been on Surris and I was asked that question by one of my friends I may have stuttered out some response or another… but that was before; now I simply stared with little outward indication of what I was actually feeling.

"S-1049 and this trooper met in training, as you may have noticed we're one designation number apart," I stated evenly. "We started talking at night. Neither of us could sleep, this trooper supposes; the training was… difficult, to say the least." As I stopped talking for a moment the group stared at me the game momentarily forgotten in as they took in what I had told them.

"So, why did you talk exactly?" The question came from Xavier as he threw down a card nonchalantly trying to keep a sense of normalcy. I could sense the piqued interest coming from him though; he knew he was going to get some insight into what had happened to his friend from a closer perspective than he had.

"S-1049 had more trouble adjusting to it than most of us I think." I paused for a moment contemplating that for a moment… it was true. "He still has a few slip-ups. Luckily a watchmaster has not been present for them. The fact that we converse with each other as we do is very much looked down upon… but can at least be tolerated."

"Slip-ups, how do you mean. Guy seems just like the rest of you to me; especially with the way he wasted that rebel." This surprisingly grim statement came from Cain who thus far seemed as friendly as could be.

"He does hide it well; however, if you look at him closely you can tell that all of this… everything that's happened since the conscription has been chipping away at him." I stopped for a moment and then my stoic voice broke, "I'm afraid what might happen to him. From what I've seen he'll get through this and be stronger for it… or he won't." My voice held strong and even despite my worry about the subject.

"What about you?" Xaivier questioned with surprising sternness.

I stared at him blankly for a heartbeat. "What do you mean?" It was an unnecessary question I knew what he meant… I just didn't want to answer.

The look in his eyes was that of plasteel, "I mean do you feel the pressure like my friend? You talk like he's a weak link, as if he's not worth the gear he has strapped to him. Do you blanks even care about each other? If he was killed tomorrow what would you do? I bet you'd keep going as if nothing even happened right. I guess words like comrade don't 'compute' to you blanks. Do you even know his name? Or is he just a number, a masked face to you so you won't feel anything when he dies." Xaiver didn't raise his voice but the venom in his voice conveyed that this had been building up.

"Hey, Xavier that's a bit harsh don't you think?" Cain started, Xavier glared at him, and he was quiet.

"I do know his name." I stated quietly from where I was, "and I'll never forget it, because I know he'll remember mine for me. As for your question, I've been afraid every hour we've been in this city. Afraid because if S-1049, your friend… if Jericus died then I wouldn't be able to remember my own name. If he died I'm certain I wouldn't be far behind him. He's stronger than I am… than any of you." My tone was firm again and filled with steeled resolve. It was true, S-1049 was stronger, maybe not the kind of strong that the Korps wanted, but stronger nonetheless.

Xavier just stared at me his expression hadn't changed; the others seemed a bit thunderstruck. I put my hand down, picked up my lasgun and walked back to where I belonged. As I approached S-1049… as I approached Jericus, he turned to me and tilted his head slightly in question. I shook my own head no, he nodded, and that was the end of it. I sat down next to him on the floor a little closer than what was appropriate. At the moment though I didn't care and not even the Emperor himself could have told me to get up and move from where I was.

Jericus took the strange behavior in stride, or at least he seemed to on the outside. However, I could tell that he was slightly worried about what had transpired. His next action startled me and almost made me jump… thankfully I didn't and on the outside I seemed calm and collected. But Emperor I was surprised when he placed his gloved hand atop mine and it stayed there. The other Korpsmen around us paid it no mind, their attentions directed elsewhere, ever at the ready for something to happen.

These Korpsmen around us were veterans of quite a few campaigns; we were the new fish barely out of our pond and yet we had by dumb luck been thrown into the ocean and told to survive.

Either we would or we'd be eaten… and our comrades didn't really care either way. Emperor I wish I could be like that, it would make all of this so much easier. I feel like I can be, I know that I can be like them, and in some ways I already am. What scared me though was that Jericus wasn't like them, couldn't be, not really, he just won't let go. But, that's what made him strong, that resolve.

As I told Xavier he had the most trouble adjusting. On the outside he kept up a pretty good front… but I knew him better than what he projected. I've only known Jericus for a handful of months and yet I feel as though I know him better than my own family members. I find it odd too, considering that when we first met he unnerved me a little. Obviously that passed quickly enough as we progressed through training and spilt blood together in battle for the first time.

"Alright you wretches, Sergeant Havlock and I have charted the best course of action." Watchmaster B-63's voice broke into my dismal thoughts. "We are to split ourselves into four man teams, each carrying a melta-charge. Then we are going to infiltrate the nearest manufacturing plant and place the charges on anything vital." He finished, at this point Sergeant Havlock took over.

"According to the information we've gotten from command the nearest plant is actually supplying munitions to the rebels. Destroying it will cripple their efforts in this particular sector, if not then at least it will soften them up for the main force. Command has also approved our request for Randon assistance. On our word the boys in red will be grav-chuting down to cause havoc and draw attention toward the manufacturing plants northern entrance." The sergeant then let Watchmaster B-63 finish.

"Yes and while this diversion takes place we will move in and complete our objective. Sergeant Havlock and I have already selected the teams. They will be mixed between our forces so as to promote a diverse set of skills to each team. When you hear your designation numbers please go to your assigned comrades."

The next few minutes passed quickly as we were assigned to our four-man squads. Whether by luck or the Emperor's will S-1049, Xavier, Cain, and myself were put in the same squad. Oddly enough Xavier seemed to be displeased by this. Even given our prior altercation I thought he would like to be close to his former friend.

The next phase of the plan had us all moving stealthily through the street just outside the Hab we were in to the point where we were to split off into our groups. It had all been worked out in advance, Watchmaster B-63 giving a silent gesture and we were off on our pre-determined routes. All of which lead to somewhere in direct opposite of where we were going to call in the Randon strike force to distract the rebels.

A series of squelches across the comm. lines signaled that we were all in position; S-l049, Xavier, Cain, and myself currently behind cover in a narrow alleyway adjacent to the eastern side of the manufacturing plant. There seemed to be a few token rebel guards keeping watch from the side entrance to the plant proper. They seemed little more than boys in the same ragtag uniforms favored by the rebels, said uniforms seemed to be too big for their almost emaciated forms.

Then as we waited a series of squelches from the comm. line were heard, in the silence they seemed to bounce harshly off the rockcrete walls of the ally around us. It was the signal that meant the Randon forces had been notified and were about to deploy. The vox operator known as F-920 from our grenadier group had done the honors as he was in the same squad as Watchmaster B-63 and Sergeant Havlock.

These thoughts vanished from my head like a wisp of dust on the wind when seemingly out of nowhere all hell broke loose as the Randon forces arrived at the northern entrance of the plant.

A/N: Alright, so next chapter things get actiony again for those of you bored easily (I jest, take no offense :)). For those of you worried about any romantic aspects between Jericus and Fenria worry not, if it happens it most certainly won't be anytime soon. Besides I personally view their relationship more as symbiotic than anything, these are two individuals that latched onto each other to get through something very difficult and traumatising and their bond is strong because of it.

Kindly R&R ladies and gentlemen. One thing I noticed that was strange, seems around twenty or so readers skipped chapter three and went straight for four, why is that? Surely it can't be that bad of a chapter right, granted it was mostly exposition but still... anyway leave your feedback if you please. See you next week.

300-709.