Kheive, M40

After how "eventful" the previous day was, Jeffrey was less than enthused to wake up and repeat something similar. The threat of an even worse propelled him out of bed, making sure to tidy up and start the morning ritual and doning a plain white uniform with blue boots. The rest of his squad soon joined him in preparing for the next days "wonderous" activities.

"So what do you guys think of the Captain?" Ifa asked, probably just trying to pass the time as they stretched and relaxed a bit.

"He is a hardass, though he reminds me a bit of my dad" Ivo replied. "You had a dad?' Jeffrey asked, incredulously, he was surprised since he had assumed that Ivo was an orphan since he didn't talk about his family or home at all. In truth he kind of assumed that all gangers were probably orphans, since what self respecting parent would let their kid join a gang?

"Of course I had a dad, everyone has to be born somehow"

"That's not what I meant-" Jeffrey interjected before stopping himself, it wasn't worth the argument. Besides he was mildly interested in hearing the rest of this story, if there was one. Ivo picked where he left off.

"As I was saying, he reminds me of my dad. My old man was a hard worker and an honest one at that. I don't know about my mom and he never told me much about her, save that she was kind and compassionate and that she died soon after I was born.

He worked in steel mines in our hive and while it was a decent paying job, the work was horrific and the hours worse. He didn't have much time off but he spent what little he had with me, He tried to teach me to how to be a man and a decent person but was either too tired or he didn't know how to relate to me so I came to resent him and all the rules he tried to place on me.

I saw the toll that factory work had on him and I knew that I didn't want to be trapped like he was. So I took another path, there weren't many opportunities even in the middle of the hive so I went to lower hives and tried to make a name for myself and make money on the streets"

Ivo paused and took a deep breath, as he spoke his voice lowered bit by bit. He had an almost wistful look on his face as he started speaking again.

"I still remember the day security took me back to my house and finally informed my dad what I was up to. I tried to explain myself but he remained silent and a had painful expression on his face. I had never seen him so wounded before, it was as of all the light and hope in life had faded from his eyes.

I left the house again that night and I never returned, I couldn't face him again" Ivo's voice lowered to a whisper and for a brief second Jeffrey swore he could swear he saw a single tear drop from the harden youths face. Perhaps for the first time, Jeffrey felt genuine pity for the loudmouth, and thought that maybe his life wasn't so bad by comparison. Perhaps trying to lighten the mood, Ifa spoke up again.

"My Pa was a hard worker too, as the head of a large family and being in charge of a huge farm he a lot of responsibility. He never complained though, and always had a great attitude and ready to help whoever needed it. By the golden throne, I don't know he did it, the stress must have immense. He always made sure that me and the rest of the family were safe and happy.

My fondest memory of him was when he got me a pet for my birthday. He must have spent Emperor knows how long and pull so many favors, but he managed to get a horse imported from off world, since we don't have any where I came from. It took me forever to find out how to ride it, but he helped me try every single day.

He taught me what it meant to be a man and do your part. My only regret was that I never got the chance to repay him, since he died during the drought. He worked himself to death to provide for us and the Imperium as a whole"

Ifa choked up a bit as he spoke, clearly feeling a wealth of emotions as he spoke of his family. Jeffrey felt a bit of jealousy over the closeness that Ifa must have had but he obviously chose not to voice that particular thought. Ladislo was the next to speak, clutching a small Holy book as he did so.

"My dad was a devout man, humble and pious as any man of the faith should be. He used to be a man of wealth and influence, born into a high position among the clergy. He would eventually give that up once he saw the conditions that many of the poorer did at the time on my world.

That was where he met my mother and had me, and he would teach me the words of the Emperor. He taught me to always others and to put their needs above my own. He would give his life in service to the Emperor after joining the war against the Orks. The foul Xenos tore him limb from limb and desecrated the body. That was why I enlisted, to avenge him no matter the cost".

The room fell into an awkward silence, almost as if they were waiting for Jeffrey to speak. Jeffrey merely shrugged, "I didn't really know my father much. We would barely interact and when we did it wasn't for long. I always got the impression that he was disappointed in me. If anything his advisor, Sandrel, an old guard sergeant, was my real father figure growing up. He never gave up on me, no matter how many times I tried to keep my head down. The only time he ever got anything for me was when I turned of legal drinking age and he brought me a aged bottle of the good stuff".

Jeffrey smiled as he remembered the sweet taste, that smile soon left his face as the loud voice of the Captain called them from outside the room. The squad quickly excited the room and resumed training as soon as they arrived at the old Russ. They would spend the rest of day training by swapping between roles inside the tank. The rational being that despite the fact that they were about to be assigned specific roles, it was good for them to become acquainted with the responsibilities for any of the positions. It was likely that one or more of them could be injured or killed so diversifying the training only made sense.

The next several weeks would consist of more and more training, usually training with other crews to work of spacing and formation. Eventually time came for permanent assignments to be doled out and Jeffrey was given the position of gunnery sergeant, Ifa was the loader, Ivo was the driver and Ladislo manned the heavy bolter. With assignments sorted out, there was only one thing left to do and that was to wait for the day of their department to the war zones.

During this intervening time, Jeffrey would take the opportunity to try and learn any skills which could aid him in the coming madness. He talked to the medicae personal, more experienced crews and most often the Enginseer Malle Katell, he spoke her to try and get tips about how to both maintain and repair the Russ on ths field. Obviously his squadmates had different "interpretations" and would cut jokes at his expense, which annoyed Jeffrey to no end. All that came to end one day when they finally received their orders to head out and prepare for take off.

Finally they were going to war.