"Sorrow you can hold, however desolating, if nobody speaks to you. If they speak, you break down."-Bede Jarrett
They'd made landfall hours ago, Jessmuck leading them slowly, picking up barely perceived tracks, and signs as he did. Headstone guide Aerith was right behind him, helping out the Catachan as best she could, her own tracking not quite on par with his, but still helpful for differentiating the tracks of local creatures. Jericus had to admit he was very impressed with both of the jungle dwellers. He could hardly tell where a worn in trail was, let alone faint tracks of an elusive xenos race, and these two were making progress, slow sure, but steady nonetheless.
They walked in much the same formation as before, maybe switched up a little, but still staggered. He was of course with Fenria, as well as S-360 and S-548, they were in the middle of the formation this time. Schmidt, Gunther, and Lieutenant Virtanen were in front of them, as well as interrogator Sothy. Behind Jessmuck and Aerith Inquisitor Dauntless followed closely, with the three storm-troopers as his immediate guard. B-63, and Kerelia trekked with him as well.
Meanwhile the Brontians Kerchak, Len, and Walton had drawn duty to guide and occupy Aryn, they were surprisingly good with the large abhuman, though his general accepting disposition helped Jericus was certain. They were the rear guard, quite the force to be reckoned with, between the powerful ogryn, and the almost feral, but disciplined Brontian bladesmen.
Luckily they didn't have to maintain noise discipline, Dauntless had only explained that it wouldn't really matter, considering who they were tracking. Which troubled Jericus to no end, everyone seemed to keep quiet out of habit though, covert operations training drilled into everyone's minds by now in their lives, and through experience. He still caught low conversations between everyone though, the usual gossip, and curious wondering.
"Doesn't seem good, that we don't even have to keep quiet, do you think these Eldar know we're coming?" Jericus couldn't help himself, the thoughts just turned in his mind.
"That's what the Inquisitor made it sound like, I've heard they're an entire race of psykers." Fenria replied back to him, she'd been talking to Sothy during the latter part of the boat ride. Probably gathering some more info about the mission, it wasn't that Dauntless wasn't open. But, really, who wanted to ask an Inquisitor questions? Even if they were a rather amiable person. It just went against the average Imperial citizen, or soldiers common sense. Jericus imagined talking with Sothy had been intimidating enough in its own right.
"More than that, they're supposed to be really fast, Jessmuck was telling me and S-548 that his entire platoon was nearly killed to the last man. Said the xenos were so fast that they could hardly see them," S-360 cut in with a serious tone. S-548 nodded as if to confirm what their medicae was saying. Jericus and Fenria turned their attentions toward the duo in front of them, their squad mates were still a bit like strangers to them, not insomuch as they didn't trust each other. But, they really hardly knew each other as well as maybe they ought to by now, in a way Jericus saw the two almost as a parallel of him and Fenria.
"Did he mention anything else? Like maybe how he managed to get away, it'd be useful to know, in case things don't go well." Even though it sounded cowardly, Jericus knew it wasn't, the Korps had taught them how to be soldiers. You stand and fight when ordered, but to cause maximum damage to the enemy one had to survive, your duty was to scurry, hide, and flank if it meant you'd ultimately win the fight. From the sound of things they'd have to be sneaky to even have a chance.
"He said something about playing dead, under the bodies of those already fallen...I don't think that should be our back-up plan," S-548 supplied, his voice was quiet, flat, yet filled with what may have been humor.
"Yes, I think you're right on that S-548, we'll just have to kill them should things come to it then." Fenria replied, completely serious. Trekking through the green became quiet once more, save for the chirrups, growls, hoots, and howls of the native creatures. Coming to a clearing Jessmuck led them right into the middle of it, stopping abruptly, and turning his head this way and that.
"Corporal, Aerith, anything wrong, you both seem lost." Dauntless commented as he came up to the side of the two trackers.
"The trail stops here," Aerith says tersely, hand edging toward the hand-canon on her hip.
"She's right, just gone… Everyone form up! We've just been caught in a trap." Jessmuck adds, his lascarbine already aimed carefully at the wall of trees directly before them. They all moved, forming a very tight circle, Dauntless, Sothy, and Kerelia right in the middle. Everyone else side to side, spaced out evenly, ready to respond to the threat.
It was a long while that they waited, the sounds of the jungle ceasing, just like when they'd been attack by the giant birds. Though Jericus could tell this time was very different, switching through all of his right eye's vision modes he scanned the treeline.
"S-1049, do you see anything? What about you Kerelia?" B-63 asked lowly, calm as ever.
Jericus shook his head slowly, before just catching sight of something, a very tall slender figure. It was coming through the bushes, slowly, and without any kind of fear it seemed. In fact he felt the only reason he did see it was simply because it had let him.
"I do, on my vector, approaching slowly," he breathed out.
"He's right, I see it too," Kerelia backed him up, her own optics whirring audibly, as though to confirm it. The faint sound of weapons being redirected to where Jericus had spotted the figure was almost deafening in the sudden silence of the jungle. Everyone was ready to take action, but they held off, the figure came into view, seemingly unconcerned with the variety of deadly weapons pointing at it.
Its sleek body was covered in armor with robes over it, a tall spear in own hand, and a pistol holstered on the opposite hip. Face uncovered by any sort of helmet Jericus was struck by the strange alien sharpness, which contrasted scarily with the almost, but not quite human form and face. It move with a graceful stride, too smooth to be human, too swift for anyone among them to match. From its face and form he could hazard a guess that it was female.
"It's gotta be a trap, everyone be careful," Jessmuck was surprisingly the voice of reason.
"I don't think tha its gunna matter much how careful we are Jessmuck." Schmidt quietly whispered, Gunther nodding in agreement at his side. Virtanen even with her usual haughty nature also seemed of the same mindset.
Suddenly they felt someone parting them, hand resting on his shoulder, Jericus found himself gently pushed aside. Dauntless striding by, no one stopped the man, those in the retinue closest to him even keeping quiet, despite his apparent endangerment of his life. The xenos paused, allowing the Inquisitor to close the rest of the distance between the two. It seemed utterly at ease being approached by one of the few humans that could be a match for it.
To be fair, Dauntless himself was at ease too, he didn't seem the slightest bit nervous. Jericus found the Inquisitors courage unbelievable, his hands wanted to twitch, and his stomach was flipping. To be prepared, ready, and able, that was easy, to be fearless was something else completely. Stopping just before the xenos, which was in fact the same height as him, Dauntless did something rather unexpected, he bowed in greeting. The xeno likewise tilted her head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Would it be presumptuous of me to say you know why we're here Farseer," Dauntless' tone was one of pure confidence, as though he already knew the answer.
"It would not Inquisitor, though I'm sure you yourself don't know the full importance of your being here. I feel it prudent to tell you that your success will determine the fate of this world… and ours, though we have alternative plans, you are by far the one that will produce the most satisfactory outcome." The Eldar spoke perfect low gothic, her voice melodious, despite the guttural nature of the language.
"I have ta say, being considered the best option certainly is a nice change of pace..." Jericus heard Gunther mutter from behind him.
"Well, before we crack on, I'll be needing the information you no doubt have for me. Specifically the location of our mutual enemy, and this particularly nasty surprise he has for us." Dauntless cut to the point finally. It seemed he knew this Eldar, their communication suggested they had talked before, though it definitely seemed to be a relationship built only on mutual benefit.
"Yes, the hidden god's servant wishes to awaken the Lossure, or Necrons, as you know them. This ironically enough is going to coincide with another plan of his, though, my people shall prevent that from happening. Such is the insanity of chaos," the Farseer replied.
"What exactly is the awakening of the tomb to coincide with," Dauntless' natural curiosity shined through, his tone imploring, if not demanding.
"It would help if none of you knew, it would only put undue pressure on your psyches. You'll simply have to trust us to do our part Inquisitor, and in turn, you must stop that madman." The Eldar replied cryptically, her voice leaving little room for argument. Dauntless looked slightly miffed, though he reigned in his emotions well, taking a deep breath.
"Okay then, I suppose I'll just have to take it on faith, so where exactly are we going?"
"Simply head north from here, about one kilometer, there will be a waterfall, from there even your dull gifts should allow you to track your quarry." The Farseer turned to leave, once again without concern for the weapons pointed at her back. Jericus could see the Inquisitors fists clench, though he made no move to stop the xenos, or order to take it down. Instead he took a deep steady breath, and straightened himself, composing his being.
"Good luck Monkeigh, I wish you success, for all of our sakes," the farseer called over her shoulder, before disappearing into the trees. Everyone stayed on the alert for several long moments. Waiting for an attack that never came. After it became apparent that what, they had been looking for all this time had just caught them with their pants down, and then left, disapproving grumbles began to form.
"Aye, Dauntless tha' wouldn't be related to all of tha' compartmentalization of information you seem ta like so much now would it," Schmidt's somewhat confused tone rang out first.
"Thought we were beyond all tha' spook crap by now..." Gunther muttered just after.
"Keep quiet you two, the Inquisitor must have his reasons." Virtanen snapped at the pair.
"Now wait one minute, you're telling me that you knew it!?" Jessmuck burst out. "What was the Emperor damned reason you had me tracking your xenos butt buddy then? Couldn't have just had a damn meeting spot, instead you just have me chasing ghosts all over the damn jungle." The Catachan was bordering on angry. The three storm-troopers all subtly had their weapons pointed and at the ready, just in case the large jungle fighter tried something.
"Wait, did she say necrons!? Now why didn't you tell me about that, do you know what we could learn from those murderous death machines, endless applications for our technology!" Kerelia's nigh heretec exuberance was seemingly ignored, though B-63 had turned to her in surprise at the outburst. She had been right next to him after all, and she was loud.
Jericus was simply confused, as was Fenria, their squadmates, and the Watchmaster. Though their training wouldn't allow them to question their leader, it wouldn't be proper, and besides, no one had gotten killed because of the secret, so as far as they were concerned everything was good. Wouldn't have really mattered if anyone had been killed anyway, that sort of thing was simply expected at this point.
Ayrn and the Brontians watched on with both dull witted bemusement, and plain interest. Kaede and Sothy seemed to be the only ones completely unsurprised and at ease. The two were easily the closest, or at least longest in the employ of the Inquisitor, so in retrospect it made sense that they probably knew about all the details beforehand.
The Inquisitor for his part in everything simply seemed to take a deep breath. Turning and fixing everyone with a stern look, not often seen on his face, Jericus wouldn't call it terrifying, though he had no doubt Dauntless could be if he wanted to be. No, it was more the look a professor might give his class at their uneducated outburst, right before he corrected them all.
"Yes Schmidt, Gunther I deemed this to be quite important to keep under wraps, you two haven't been the best at keeping secrets in the past. Lieutenant, spot on, thank you for having faith in me, and apologies for keeping this from you. As for the rest of you I'm sorry, but you're all too new to my employ to know some thing this… confidential before you need to. Colluding with xenos is after all, not exactly sanctioned, though sometimes necessary," he began.
"That doesn't explain why you needed me in the first place," Jessmuck growled out. It was apparent the Catachan didn't like having things hidden from him.
"I was getting to that Corporal," Dauntless intoned sternly, fixing the Catachan with a strong gaze. "The reason I needed your expertise was a simple matter of security. The more limited the communication, and intelligence shared between I and my xenos contacts, the better. Less chance of them to be tracked back to me by others of my ordo, others of a more puritan bent, who might otherwise ruin our chances of saving this world in their zealotry. The xenos gave me the basics on how to find them, leaving clues such as the pict capture, and general location. I needed you to get us close enough to them for them to be comfortable enough to initiate contact. They have, we have the information require to proceed, and also valuable foresight concerning what we'll be finding."
Jessmuck seemed to chew over the information, his face going from betrayal, to one of understanding. Though Jericus still wasn't quite sure the Catachan wouldn't initiate a knife fight over it. His hackles went down though, and the massive jungle fighter gave a nod, his mind made up.
"Okay, I get it, but where does that leave me and my friends now? Job's done as far as I'm concerned, I held up my end of the deal, found your ghosts." Jessmuck crossed his arms, Jericus recognized the defensive gesture, almost as if the Catachan was expecting opposition.
"Well, you are correct, and if you want to I will allow you Kerchak, Len, and Walton your leaves. By the time you'd have gotten back to Portcity we'll have been either done here, or dead." Dauntless laid it all out, as though he were simply talking about the weather. "Though, consider the journey we've just taken, and imagine going about it alone, only to find the good city surrounded by a veritable army. Suffice it to say Corporal, I'd say your chances of survival will be much better with us, than heading back to that mess."
Having given the jungle fighter, as well as the blades-men, something to consider Dauntless awaited their answer, arms behind his back. The Inquisitors body language was easy to read, open and confident as he was, the man already knew the answer he was going to get. Kerchak stepped forward, defacto leader of his men he spoke for the disciplined warriors.
"Longknives never run away from a righteous battle, it would do us a tremendous dishonor, we shall continue on with you Inquisitor." He answered with finality, Walton and Len behind him nodded their agreement.
Jessmuck looked back to them, essentially his only backup in this situation. Jericus could see the cogs turning in the Catachan's head, take his chances with the jungle, and sneaking through enemy lines, or continue on with the Inquisitor. The jungle fighter let out a long suffering sigh. "Oh frak all, I'm in, let's go fight whatever the warp it is that's trying to kill the planet."
Dauntless nodded approvingly to the four guardsmen and their decisions. And then he looked toward Aerith, with a slightly more sympathetic expression. "My dear, I must thank you for your guidance, it has been of the utmost help. Where we go now though, it will be very dangerous, and I will not ask you to come along. If you'd like to go back to the outpost I completely understand."
"Came this far, would like to see what this is all about, if you'd let me." The Headstone guide spoke with surprising conviction. Honestly Jericus was surprised the local would even want to go, it wasn't really an appealing prospect by any means, not to the sane person anyway. Especially when you didn't have a duty, or crazed want to go through with it, like he and everyone else did. Nevertheless Dauntless gave a smile to the news, the Surrin could tell the Inquisitor was pleased with the guide's answer.
"Excellent, then without further pause, let us crack on." His tone was surprisingly upbeat for a man about to undertake a mission that would decide the fate of a world. Jericus supposed you needed that sort of optimistic attitude though, at least in this line of work. Turning the Inquisitor began to lead them north, in the direction indicated by the Eldar. The rest of them began to follow after, unconsciously falling into their staggered formation, on their way to fight for Headstones fate.
Assaults were coming more regularly now, limited artillery, as well as ammunition was hindering the Guards defense of Portcity. Enemy opposition was getting more cunning by the day, probing different sections of the lines for weakness, Xavier was thankful they had held off on the human wave attacks. Though rumor had it they were readying for a big push soon. Now it was night, he had drawn second watch, the moons over Headstone were at their zenith in the night sky. Casting light on no-mans-land, almost enough to just make things out, he had an auspex just in case though.
The scanning device would let him know about encroaching enemy forces in the dark. Up and down the line others were similarly equipped, the first line of defence, and the only way to warn their comrades of danger. A flare-gun at the ready as well if he picked up anything, that along with his shouts would rouse everyone quickly, they had all become very light sleepers. Surprising considering the hellishly loud sounds of battle Xavier had built up a tolerance for, even enough to sleep through a bombardment.
Looking out at the shadows of no-mans-land he saw no movement, the auspex corroborated, not alerting him to anything untoward. Out there he could see the build up of wreaked vehicles and bodies, both guard and bandit alike, equal in death. The moonlight bathed the horror in an otherworldly glow of whitish blue, dark shadows danced as clouds blotted out the light on occasion, and wind howled strangely through the deformations and obstacles. Almost like the whispers of the dead.
Xavier let out a sigh, placing the flare-gun down he hefted up the trench-club they had given him. Everyone had gotten one, issued by the Death Korps no less, a precaution in case of raids. The hefty bludgeon would be very handy he thought. He tested it with couple of swings, just to get more used to it, and that was when he heard the clap of boots on duck-board behind him. Anyone in his squad, keck anyone on the line would have announced their presence, it was standard protocol to avoid friendly fire.
Something was very wrong, he gripped the club tightly, wondering why the auspex hadn't picked up the enemy movement, he'd have to get a better one requisitioned. He wheeled around in a quick movement, swinging the club around as he did, his would be killer was caught by surprise. The knob of the trench-club colliding with his head with a wet crunch, the man went with the blow, staggering into his comrade who had been beside him.
"Raid! Raid! Raid!" Xavier bellowed out as he followed up with his attack. Clubbing the raider's comrade over his helmeted head again, and again, and again. The metallic pings of the repeated blows like a further warning bell. Flares shot up as other sentries heard his cries of warning, and set about calling out as well, rousing the defenders.
Red flashes further lit up the night as the Guardsmen at large responded to the threat. Raiders likewise started to fight back, their stubbers, and autoguns chattering as they realized their element of surprise was blown. Despite the multiple blows Xavier was still struggling with the second raider, the man's hands clawing for purchase to get him to stop hitting him, but the Surrin was having none of that. His club fell several more times, before the raider managed to knee him in the sensitives, doubling Xavier over and creating an opening.
Looking up he saw his attacker bearing down on him with a knife, ready to commit to a killing blow. Xavier brought his arm up to try and stop it, but he needn't have, suddenly the raider was gurgling as a wire garrot bit into the soft flesh of his neck from behind. Cain heaved backwards, pulling the mono-thin wire through skin, muscle, and biting into bone. The raider's flails tapered off as signals from his brain cut off from the rest of his body. His friend unwound the garrot from the dead man's neck, and offered Xavier a hand up, he took the help gratefully, finally shaking off the blow to his jewels.
Turning to look they found the rest of the squad occupied with other raiders. The bandits it seemed had managed to come in a limited amount of force. Up and down the line small skirmishes were happening, and likewise here Xavier watched as his friends fought for their lives. Eli was bashing in the head of a raider who had gotten too close with the butt of his longlas, meanwhile Hack was using one of the surgical saws he had to deal with another, all while Sergeant Grime laid into another two with knife and trench-club.
"Bastards sure know how to ruin a wet dream huh Xavier! Emperor damned pricks!" Cain cursed as he shot two more raiders in the back as they tried to retreat into no-mans-land. Xavier grunted in response, right before he clubbed another raider that was sneaking up on Cain across the face, knocking out a few teeth, and probably breaking the man's jaw. He was either dead, or out cold, Xavier couldn't stop to tell as he drew his laspistol, firing point blank at a few other raiders coming down the line to suppress them.
The enemy ducked back around the corner they'd come from as lasbolts spat at the trench-wall around them. "Raiders coming on our flank," Xavier yelled out. Gaining the attention of his squad who had all finished up with their own issues for the moment, turning to face the corner of the trench. They all ducked down low as the muzzle of an autorifle poked around the corner, spraying blindly into the air. Luckily most of the fire was inaccurate, and Xavier only noticed a few bullets impact the trench walls around him.
Thinking them suppressed the raiders came storming around the corner, autoguns spraying from the hip, most of their shots went way wide of the low down guardsmen. In return they were peppered with lasbolts, the deadly red light tearing into them, they were down in seconds. Muscles spasming in their last moments of life and squeezing their weapon triggers. Xavier felt a stray round slam into the meat of his flak-vest, the blow taking his breath from him, and sending him staggering back into the trench-wall.
"Xavier's hit," Cain shouted clearly, the raid was thankfully dying down, only stuttering resistance could be heard in the distance. Xavier watched as Cain went past him with Sergeant Grime to secure the trench corner, should any more stray raiders come around. Meanwhile he was aware of Hack coming up beside him and checking him over with a light. The squad medicae looked him over, quickly ascertaining his condition, and nodding satisfied. He still unlatched his flakvest, opening up the material so that Xavier could get air into his lungs easier, and also to check that the bullet hadn't gotten through.
"He's alright, just a light tap, gonna need more than that to kill our boy," Hack reported jovially. Xavier catching his breath smiled at the medicae. The last sputters of weaponfire chattering out they all began to breath a little easier. Xavier could feel the beginnings of a nasty bruise forming on his chest, better than the alternative though, but not by a terrible amount.
"Keck, pricks got right on top of us. Xavier were you nodding off," Eli held a slight accusatory tone to his voice, Xavier couldn't say he blamed him, but it hadn't been his fault.
"No, the kecking auspex didn't pick them up, I'm lucky I heard the keckers footsteps, otherwise we'd all have slit throats." He replied, still a little out of breath, Eli's look mercifully toned down. The slight anger draining from the man's face as he saw his comrades sincerity.
"Sarg, should the damn bandits be able to get by an auspex like that," Hack's question was met with silence for a moment as Grime considered it.
"With all the bodies and metal out there, it wouldn't be impossible, plus where we are on the line is a bit much for one unit to cover. We're lucky this was just a raid," He paused looking up and down the line, as the rest of the Hoarfell guardsmen cleaned up the mess, or repelled any left over raiders. "Looks like we just sent them a powerful message too, don't raid our lines."
Xavier was sitting now, still not quite back on his feet, Hack was nodding in agreement with Sergeant Grime at his side. Keeping watch over him, the medicae in him not allowing him to leave his charge's side. He did let him button up his flakvest though, his breath back, and hurt already fading.
"Thanks for the concern Hack, but I'm good." Xavier began to wave his friend off, but the medicae was insistent.
"You just got shot, just give it another second, the enemy is gone any-" the crack of autopistol fire cut Hack off, and Xavier suddenly became aware of his friend's blood spattering across his face. His eyes widened, and everything seemed to slow down, Hack was falling to the ground one microsecond at a time, clutching his shredded neck as he did so. Xavier realized at once, it was the raider he hadn't had time to give a double tap, the one whose teeth he'd sent flying.
Turning he looked at the bloody grin of triumph on the bandit's face, he could hear Eli shouting. He was in the line of fire, he couldn't get a bead on the bandit, but Xavier didn't care. Seeing red, literally and figuratively, he felt a primal cry escape his throat. The bandit's grin turned into a similar snarl as Xavier began to run toward him, his boots scrabbling for purchase on the duck-boards.
Xavier heard the autopistol discharge again, saw the flash, felt the punch of it as bullets impacted his flakvest for the second time that evening. He didn't stop though, momentum, adrenaline, and pure rage throwing him forward into his foe. Crashing into the man Xavier knocked the autopistol from his grip, driving them both to the ground, he landed on top. The man struggled, face now displaying fear, even with the mangled mouth. His hands clawed at him, Xavier batted them away, throwing punches into the man's face, worsening his teeth, and breaking his nose.
As he battered away as his victim's face again, and again, and again he noticed the struggling starting to lessen. His mind running in slow motion, the man's mouth trying to form words between each blow, blood and broken teeth hampered that, along with Xavier's fist crashing down. When his victim stopped even struggling Xavier grasped his throat, and began to squeeze the last vestiges of life from his body. He felt the man grip his arms feebly, his pulped face seemed to plead, even as it turned blue, and his eye's rolled to the back of his head.
Xavier was distantly aware that he hadn't stopped screaming, his fury unquenchable, and when the man finally went limp, cold dead… it was too damn soon. He started to punch his face again, his fist practically caving in the corpse's face.
"N-no! You don't get to die yet! You don't get to die yet!" He felt arms pulling him back. He kicked and struggled to get back to the corpse, to get more, to do more, but the grip was strong, and oddly gentle.
"He's dead Xavier, stop, you're not helping anything," Cain spoke as soothingly as he could. "You've got to calm down."
"No he shot Hack! He shot Hack!" Xavier could feel tears of anger, pain, grief, all mingling and flowing from his eyes. His limbs started to feel like lead, the sight of the corpse before him, bloodied, still, unmoving, face now gone… the sight of it seemed to sap the strength from him. Stopping his struggle Cain let him go, taking a step back, but keeping a weary eye on him, and the area. Breathing hard Xavier turned, and saw Eli and Sergeant Grime, trying to stem the blood flowing from Hack's wound.
"Hack, you gotta show us how to do this. Dorn… come on man, you're the medicae damn it, I don't know how to help you." Eli was pleading with his friend, his pain clear from his voice, Xavier slumped against the trench wall as he watched Hack grab at Eli's hand, and the Sergeant's arm.
Grime solemnly tried to keep the wound from bleeding, but the bullet seemed to have ripped right through a major artery. It was amazing Hack was even still alive. Xavier, felt his tears mixing with Hack's blood, running down his face. He watched as Dorn 'Hack' their squadmate, medicae, his friend went slack, the grip he had on Eli and Grime loosened.
The Sergeant shook his head in quiet resignation. Hack's eye's were dull now, their spark gone, dead, cold dead. Grime pulled his hands from the wound, the blood flow stopping, a mere trickle now, due to lack of a heartbeat, and the Sergeant closed his lad's eye's. He stood up, careful not to present a target, should another bandit be lurking. Eli stayed kneeling clutching his friend's limp hand.
"It's my fault..." Xavier muttered to himself, hands coming to rest on his face, smearing Hack's blood and his tears.
A/N: Whelp, had a lot to think about with this chapter to be honest. Not sure how well it came out, but I think it'll get me where I need to go with this story. Rounding on the end, I've got more than one idea for how it's gonna go. At this point it really depends on how I'll be feeling when I'm actually writing the final chapter. Which I plan to be quite large. As always your thoughts are appreciated dear readers, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'd of course like to hear your opinions.
Shout-outs:
Kamzil118- Thanks for the clarification, glad I got the proper mood on that, wasn't too sure. Also glad you've been enjoying this, I have been too. Also, really like your story 'Requisition,' I honestly like the day to day stuff that goes on behind the scenes in 40k, not enough of it, and it's always interesting, so good on you.
JohnDoeSIGMA1- Well, well my friend that is a lofty inference, we shall see how it holds up :). Glad you like Veris, I do too, can't seem to get her into the story enough though. Was thinking of doing a spin off about her. Yes the fury of war has beset our other guardsmen, hopefully most of 'em will come through it. Can't give the details of that up though, would ruin what's coming up.
Imperial Servant- Murder train indeed, maybe not as bad as this chapter seems to foreshadow, but still. Sorry for the update tardiness by the way, hope you enjoyed this chapter.
SgBriggs- Thanks for the kind words my friend. I appreciate that you've enjoyed this so much, and pity to end maybe, but I'm gonna make it good... I hope.
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