There was an incoming message coming over the Noosphere, it was A648-Lieus, Pullo's squad leader "2044-Pullo, Mobility status?"
"Mobility unaffected." confirmed Pullo.
"Rejoin squad, awaiting outside,"
Pullo got off his bed and walked towards the stairs.
"Are you leaving?" asked Hamida from across the room. "Wait a moment." she shouted, as she ran over to him. "If you see Darius, remember to tell him you saw me, let him know where I am and that I'm OK. It will mean a lot"
Pullo nodded in acknowledgement and walked on, the odds that he would meet an individual in this battlefield were remote and that's assuming he was alive; but he would remember the message.
Outside the building, in the ruins, his team was waiting for him.
"Greetings Alpha." said Pullo as he approached Lieus.
"Your combat effectiveness has been nullified," said Lieus, glancing at Pullo's arm.
"Acknowledged, replacement recognised as personal priority." agreed Pullo.
"Your status is reassuring." said Lieus, "your survival was uncertain," Pullo was sure Lieus was smiling behind his mask.
"Mission Report," stated Lieus, "STC Fragment Acquisition confirmed."
Pullo couldn't believe it. "Confirm report."
"STC Fragment Acquisition confirmed. Alerted to opportunity objective after attack, secured with Techpriest."
Surely the only thing that could have helped this happen was intervention from the Omnissiah himself. "Praise be to the Omnissiah." Pullo just wished he was there to have seen it himself.
"Your personal contribution was logged." said Lieus, confirming that Pullo's deeds were not forgotten.
"Unit status?" asked Pullo, concerned for his team.
"Five Rangers eliminated in ambush. One wounded."
Pullo must have been the wounded one.
"We must continue to base," said Lieus.
"I require a weapon."
"Your transuranic arquebus is in disrepair," explained Lieus.
Pullo was disappointed by this news, he was close with the arquebus' machine spirit.. He was handed a Las Pistol by Lieus. This would have to do.
"Order issued, return to base," said Lieus, "Destination at the following codified coordinates."
They were moving further from the front lines to get to the Ryza base of operations. The Ryza base was at a large manufactorum. It was built to produce large machinery such as transport trains and Leman Russ Battle Tanks. It was under direct control of the Ryzan priesthood before the Ork invasion.
In the last few months it had been reclaimed from the Orks and the remnants of their habitation had been completely expunged. Tech priests were currently in the process of returning the manufactorum back to its full and glorious capacity, with holy rites being used to bring life back to the heavy machines of production. The production of new tanks from this facility would speed up the war effort and perhaps bring a swifter end. Currently the base was being used for holy maintenance of the war assets of the Ryzan forces. So instead of Leman Russ vehicles rolling off the production line, Skitarii were being seen to, Servitors were being armed, and Dunecrawlers were being serviced. This was a busy hub of activity, with all parts of the machine working to a single goal.
Pullo and his team entered through the large gate which would have been at the end of the production line. Lieus headed to a debriefing with the Dominus.
Akresa, another ranger in the squad who carried an arquebus said to Pullo, "Injury substantial, see Tech Auxillium."
"Tech Auxilium is already a priority," said Pullo. He glanced down at the arm that had been severed, The bandages that were wrapped around the stump were soaked through with blood.
Pullo glanced at the pistol which had been put to his side. "Pistol to be deposited with the Curate of Acquisitions," said Pullo.
Akresa pulled the Pistol from Pullo's side and held it by the barrel, "Personal destination set, Curate of Acquisitions. See Tech Auxillium."
Pullo nodded in understanding and headed off to see about getting an arm fitted.
Pullo knew the Pistol wasn't special, it would likely be added to recirculation after it had been categorised by the Curate.
"Ooh, this looks nasty," said the tech priest as he slowly removed the crude bandages from Pullo's arm. The stitching that was done in the field hospital was coming loose, and the wound was reopening. It needed to be at least sealed in order to protect the weak flesh that was now exposed.
Pullo was on an operating chair in the middle of a small room. The tech auxilium was the tech priest assigned to the duty of fitting and caring for the augments of the Skitarii soldiers. The operating theatre he was in was a dark place, and it stank of rotten flesh and burnt blood. The stains on the wall showed that whatever previous operation was done, did not happen cleanly.
Sejanis was the tech auxillium on duty and he was inspecting the unwrapped wound. His face was fully visible which was unusual for a tech priest, and he wore a bloodstained white apron. Apart from a few mechadendrites coming from his back, it wasn't clear what augments Sejanis had installed.
"What is your pain rating?"
"Pain rating, nine," said Pullo.
"Ouch," winced the tech priest, "I don't know why they don't give you guys the pain suppressors."
"Pain reactions suppressed, stimulation nulled, sensation unaffected."
"That's horrible," said the tech priest. "First, I'm going to give you some relief." as one of his mechadendrites reached for a syringe on a nearby table. Sticking it into the arm near the wound, he asked "what is your pain rating now?"
"Pain Rating, six, five, four."
"There, that must feel better," said the tech priest. "Now, I'll get your new hand."
The tech priest selected a mechanical hand from the wall and brought it over to the operating table. He then began to work on tidying up the wound making sure the augment would fit and exposing the nerve endings that needed to be connected. He then blessed the new arm with some incense and a quick prayer, before fitting it. The graft was a quick process and in only fifteen minutes, Pullo had a new mechanical hand where his organic one once was.
"Can you try moving your fingers?" asked the Tech Priest
Pullo did, they moved well, just as if he had his old hand back. It seemed to be a little slow and numb though.
"It might take some time for things to feel one hundred percent natural." explained the tech priest, "There is also the pain suppressor, once this wears off you will notice a big improvement."
Pullo put his new hand on his chest, he could feel tingles in his arm, that changed depending if his hand was running along the fabric of his coat or the metal of his armour. It would take some time to get used to this.
"When is your next deployment?"
"Unknown, awaiting briefing." explained Pullo.
"The Orks are being pushed back," said the tech priest, "If we are careful, we might see the end of this war." said Sejanis with a smile.
"By the will of the Omnissiah, we will crush the Orks."
"And what happens after that?" began Sejanis, "we'll just move onto the next war. I feel for you Skitarii, all you know is fighting."
"I will be utilised where I am needed."
"Of course," said the Tech Priest, "Now go and hand your uniform in with the cleaning servitors, and get something without blood all over it. Go with the Machine God's blessings and good luck. Hopefully I won't have to see you here again."
And Pullo went to exchange what he was wearing; he would be ready for the next deployment.