The Emperor's finest Chapter Eight
(Six years ago, Aerobolia, the capital city known as Bolia primus).
A warm fire crackled nearby radiating it's glorious warm and illuminating the small room with a brilliant golden hue, which contrasted the cold, pale, deary weather outside. Aerobolian winters were infamously brutal and thus Jeffrey was glad to be free of them. Of course that wasn't the only thing he was glad for as his gaze turned from the fire to his companion who had just returned, holding several books and study materials. Jeffrey, couldn't help but pass another glance at her, his teenaged mind having not matured enough to steel him resolved.
Her name was Tara Naomi and she had long flowing white hair, that reminded him of snow. She wore an elegant black dress which complemented her ample form, but it was her eye that he found most appealing. Her eyes were simply radiant, a brilliant shade of light blue that always warmed his heart and shone with a defiance that was all too rare amongst the sycophants he had to deal with as a part of his father's court.
It was that defiance that not only attracted him but worried him, for even at such a young age he was already aware of what trouble defiance could get you into. Aerobolia was a prosperous world, and didn't suffer from many of the other problems that other hive worlds did. Law and order were maintained on most of streets and many of the citizens were safe. That came at a cost though, as things like "civil liberties" and "political freedom" were almost unheard of Aerobolia. His father ruled with an iron fist and entertained no rivals.
Most people in positions of power either complied because they actively benefited from these state of affairs or because they were afraid of the alternatives, either that or they were afraid of his father. It was taught that more freedoms would result in the woes that other hive worlds experienced. Jeffrey himself would might have been content to let things remain as they are if hadn't befriended Tara when was little and was exposed to some of the horrors that his Father's men inflicted to keep the peace. She informed him of the often excessive cruelties and violence these "peacekeepers" initiated, such as breaking entering without evidence, using lethal weapons on unarmed crowds of peaceful protesters, brutalizing children and the elderly, so on and so fourth.
Jeffrey had conflicting emotions about all of this, while it was horrible, he didn't really see what he had to with it. In his mind, it wasn't his problem since he wasn't the one ordering it. Tara apparently didn't see it that way and kept trying to get him to consider what he could do.
"Ahem" Tara coughed, getting his attention, "are we going to get to studying or are you too distracted" She slightly teased, though Jeffrey suspected there might be something more to that jab. Flustered a bit by caught staring once again, he nodded and she set down the study materials, which consisted on three different books about Aerobolian history. Each one was a hefty book in it's own right, which filled him with no small amount of dread. They had agreed to met so that Tara could aid him in his studies for his classes, for Jeffrey wasn't exactly the academic type. To be fair it was perhaps that the schools themselves weren't exactly the greatest at making the material interesting.
Irregardless he needed some help and she was glad to oblige, for she was alot more studious
and intellectual than he was, or that was his estimation of the situation. They quickly got to work overviewing Aerobolian history, such as it's founding in M32 by rogue traders. Then they covered the part where the planet was almost overwhelmed by greenskins during the "war of the beast". The thought of Xenos marauding across their world was a worrying, if very distant thought. He eventually grew bored however and began to zone out, only to be snapped back to attention by Tara.
"When are you going to take this seriously?" She huffed. Jeffrey groaned in annoyance, seemingly more vexed by her tone of voice than the prospect of failing this test. "It's just a test" he shot back nonchalantly. Apparently that was the wrong response as his companion's frustration only grew. "It's not just this test" she said softly, barely audible. "And so what do you care if I fail or not? You aren't my tutor" Jeffrey replied, apparently failing to read the situation properly.
"You just don't get it do you? If you keep holding back then you will never get any where in life?" She said.
"And what if I don't want go anywhere? What I am fine living in mediocrity? Let someone else take responsibility" He snapped back without thinking. Just as he said those words he instantly grew to deeply regret them. Tara remained silent for a moment, her expression turning into a combination of pity and sorrow. The rest of session ended without much incident, both of them remaining quiet. Jeffrey tried to apologize but the words fell hollow and then they parted ways, leaving Jeffrey alone to contemplate what he had said.
Gulgath
Jeffrey woke up well rested for the first time in what felt like ages. For their actions in saving fort "forelorn hope" they had been given two days off duty and he had finally been given the chance to sleep in. He had never imagined that he would have been so glad to sleep in a bunk in the barracks but compared to sleeping outside with only a blanket and a pillow, it felt like a luxury suit by comparison. He got up at 0800 hours due to his new sleeping schedule keeping him from staying in too long. He was also sure that if he stayed to long in bed that he would get in trouble. He then attended a morning mass, not out of any genuine desire to be there but to instead he wanted to avoid making any more enemies so he just went with the path of least resistance.
He didn't pay much attention to the sermon and was quick to leave after it was over. He then spend most of the day with Ifa, the rest of the squad going their own way and agreeing to meet up later that night for drinks, that was except for Ladislo who refused to drink due to some verse in the lecticio divinatius or something. He and Ifa would spend their time watching old vid recordings, or "motion pictures" as some had the habit of calling them. His favorite movie was a picture simply called "Space Marine" it was the tale of a Marine named Titus who fought a bunch of Orks on the world of Graia. Jeffrey wished that captain Titus was here, that or really any of the Emperor's angels of death would do, for he was shivering just thinking of face Azurk once again.
Aside from that there courts to play various sports on and quiet a bit of material to read. Most of the material was blatant propaganda but still a fun read. There wasn't much else to around the
city, since the alot of time and energy was directed to the warfront, in fact the city still showed damage from Ork bomber raids. The mad xenos weren't the best pilots but they should could cause chaos and destruction.
Eventually, the night fell and they went to a bar to share some drinks. This particular bar was called the "Iron gut", Jeffrey didn't know why it was called that and probably assumed it had something to do with the quality of the alcohol served there. He was right, at least about that last bit as the alcohol was middle of road. "At least it's cold" he thought to himself as downed his first sip on his way inside after picking up a bottle from the barkeep.
He and Ifa sat down at an empty table towards the end of the end of the bar. The bar itself was quaint and quite rustic with wooden tables and seats. The bar was mostly empty, with a few officers being the old other patrons at the moment and from the sounds of it they already had more than enough to drink. Ignoring the drunk ramblings of the officers they toasted and started drinking.
"So, did you have anyone special back home?" Jeffrey asked, trying to break the ice, Ifa spoke often about his family but sparingly about anyone outside of it. Ifa's expression soured slightly, most likely from dredging up bad memories. It seemed like he was debating on whether or not he should dodge the question or perhaps minimize it, ultimately he it seemed he decided to tell the truth, or at least close to it.
"Yeah, I did have someone. Her name was was Adoua Bantu and we met while working I was working the edge of our territory when I first saw her. We were just kids at the time but we hit off well, we had so much in common and so much to share with one another.
We both grew up, and we keep seeing each other regularly. She grew into a strong, proud woman and I loved her so much. That was until our families came into conflict. To this day I don't know what really happened, my family said theres stole business away from our, they said much the same thing. Our parents forbid us see each other and that was that"
"Really?" Replied Jeffrey, obviously expecting something more dramatic or melodramatic he supposed. "You really ended a life long relationship that fast?"
Jeffrey resented his brash response as Ifa's expression grew even more sour. "Yes, I ended the relationship because I was scared of losing my family. I learned pretty quickly as a kid to not fight the system, just follow orders and keep your head down" he finally replied after a few seconds of silence.
"I remember the next day she tried to call out to me but I ignored her, I couldn't stand to tell her so I avoided her. Day after day she would try to talk to me and day after day I would walk on by. Eventually she stopped trying and I never saw her again. In a agri world, you do what you are told, when you are told to do it" he continued, downing the rest of his bottle, perhaps trying to drown some of his memories.
"What about you?" He asked, perhaps try to get the edge off and shift focus away from himself.
"I did, and like you it didn't work out, but for different reasons. She tried to get me to be
something I am not. She wanted me to try and be responsible, to take charge and lead my world to a better future. The problem is that I would never have had that chance, all of my brothers are fighting for that seat. In the end, as you said, we can't fight system. All we can do is protect ourselves" Jeffrey replied, his voice low and hollow.
The mood continued to sour into melancholic silence as both grabbed another bottle and kept drinking away their sorrow. "I guess that makes us both cowards, huh? At least we are in like minded company" Ifa spoke softly. Jeffrey kept silent as he thought about those words, "I guess so" he muttered. Soon the night would end and they would return to the barracks but his thoughts didn't stop, his fears and insecurities came into focus as he tried to bury them and get a good night's sleep.