Chapter 11:

Hear the Voices

Republic of San Magnolia's Eastern Front, September 28th SY 2148

Captain Lenck read the mission order with an intrigued, raised eyebrow. She flipped the paper and inspected the squadron's inventory list for their "special reconnaissance mission".

"So, you're going on a deep recon patrol with just you five, Fido and a month's worth of supplies? With no additional support?" She asked Nouzen incredulously. "And what's the objective? What should we expect from your recon reports?"

"The mission's order doesn't specify. But our primary objective will be to search and destroy the Sheperd of this frontline," Shin replied flatly, "This should push back the Legion's incoming invasion… hopefully."

Lenck eyed the boy narrowly, examining his bland face. She then shrugged and nodded, "O'lrighty, good luck out there, Nouzen," She stated while handing back the mission order.

"Thank you, Captain Lenck." Shin formally saluted her and was about to return to Undertaker when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him in his track.

"Here," She said while offering a flare gun, "Use it once you've located that Sheperd."

"Excuse me?"

"You really expect me to believe that you're going out there with no support? At best they're sending you to an ambush. I'll get my company to push forward with you. That flare gun will call in air support in ten minutes. The Emperor protects."

"Yes, ma'am." Shin nodded and returned to Undertaker.

"Guess they won't let us go that easily, huh?" Raiden said with a side grin.

"They'll be lagging behind us but no, they won't leave us out there alone." Shin confirmed while turning on his Juggernaut.

"At least we'll get a spectacle from them," Kurena chimed in eagerly, getting impatient.

"Welp… it was nice knowing them. I hope they won't miss us too much… unlike a certain Major of ours." Theo added sarcastically.

"Are you ready, Shin?" Anju's soft voice stirred him from his trance. He could faintly hear his deceased brother's cries, far in the distance among a sea of dead voices. His brother was calling out to him, growing impatient and agitated.

"Yeah, let's move out." Shin ordered firmly. "I'm coming, brother. I'm going to put you to sleep finally…"

Charité, Northern Sector Capital, Republic of San Magnolia

General Farestein seemed to be quite impressed with the speed and efficiency of the Alba's ammunitions and weapons manufactorum. Charité has been transformed into the Republic's primary arms industrial sector, with whole manufactorums dedicated to the production of weapons, munitions and just recently armoured vehicles. The techpriests have dug up old blueprints of Republic IFVs and tanks and shortly launched their productions.

The Republic's tanks, designated the M36B2 Mastiff, were smaller than the Leman Russ and only had a crew of four: the commander, gunner, loader and driver. The tank featured a 105mm main battle cannon, a co-axial 12.7mm heavy stubber and two 7.62mm lighter automatic stubbers at the turret's top latches for the commander and loader. Although the armour was as thick as a Chimera's, it did excel in speed and flexibility, outpacing most Imperial tanks. For now, only the Republic's First tank regiment was fully equipped but more were underway with the second wave of recruits dedicated to tank and artillery schools. Slowly but surely, the Republic will be able to stand up and fight on their own… at least defensively.

"Although the tanks were designed before the Legion War," Brigadier-General Karlstahl began as a matter-of-factly, "We've made some improvements by reinforcing the armour plating but also adding active counter-measures and upgrading our main cannon to a 105mm instead of the B1's 90mm."

"What's the production rate for the tanks?" General Farestein asked curiously.

"We've estimated to be able to produce fourteen tanks per two weeks with about forty LAV-30s in the same time frame."

"And what about the crews?" Colonel Jeremiah inquired, glancing idly at the finished batch of tanks.

"I've made sure to dedicate forty percent of the second wave of draftees to tank school, which last about one to two months depending on their qualifications." Karlstahl explained, "We've already got a battalion's worth of tanks that are crewed and combat ready."

"Then they should be sent out to the frontline immediately," Farestein instructed coldly, "Your infantry and artillery won't survive long enough without proper armour support. You can't rely your defence strategy solely on conscripts. They'll crumble as soon as their commander's killed or once they've taken too many casualties."

"I've already started to send out some of our Handlers and active-duty officers to the advanced officer training course. They should be able to lead men to the frontline in a month as well."

"Excellent, Karlstahl. I'll be leaving on a diplomatic mission tomorrow. I'll trust that you'll keep up with your promise, Brigadier-General." Farestein warned firmly.

The Alba senior officer bowed his head, "Of course, sir. It is the will of the Emperor."

Farestein and his retinue made their way towards the convoy of Chimeras and Taurox APCs, Captain Parris stood rigidly at parade rest while a mixed platoon of Kasrkins and Tempestus Scions pulled security around the convoy.

"Captain Parris, we will make our leave tomorrow at dawn. Are your Guardsmen ready?" The general asked.

"Of course, sir. First Company is ready, locked and loaded!" The company commander answered proudly.

The armoured convoy made its way back to Palace Blancneige. The capital city was hectic. Checkpoints were established and manned by the Republic's security forces and Guardsmen of the Cadian 605th, Sentinel and Taurox patrols increased in the city's streets and the Alba saw an increase in the Imperial Guard's rapid and brutal response to sedition, open rebellion and allegiance to the Holy Magnolian Order.

Raids and public executions were carried out daily. Corpses of traitors and of the blasphemers polluted the streets. Churches were quickly occupied and repurposed to the Imperial Cult. Despite the Alba's provocative resistance, the Imperium's grasps on the rebels tightened swiftly, draining out the resistance movement with propaganda and precise and ruthless strikes.

While the first wave of conscripts was sent out to the frontline, the second wave of draftees were already assembled and sent to boot camp, with the younger generation of Alba volunteering; eager to enlist in the Armed Forces out of sense of adventure, pride and newfound fervour to the God-Emperor of Mankind.

Admiral Ravenkin's counter-insurgency operation has proven to be effective. She was confident that the Holy Magnolian Order's leaders will crumble and their followers crawling back to the Emperor's light.

The Kasrkins of First Company were assembled in the palace's courtyard, their Valkyries waiting dutifully for the order to depart. The veteran Guardsmen had to pack lightly as to not immediately show any hostility to their new allies… if they wish to be their allies. They'll be alone to assure the General's protection. No armour support, no heavy weapons squads, not even Sentinels.

Once again, Lieutenant Holmes had to rearrange the special weapons in his squad. Corporals Gunther and Hekler were equipped with hot-shot volley guns with Troopers Jasper and Kholm armed with melta guns. Each squad in the company were equipped with additional special weapons to be able to respond against enemy infantry and armour in close engagements.

Upon spotting the General's convoy, Holmes ordered the stormtroopers to stand at attention. General Farestein, accompanied by Colonels Frazyer and Jeremiah, Captain Parris and Commissar Darius, walked up to the company's rigid and disciplined formations with a growing and proud grin.

"Proud Kasrkins of Cadia! It is with immense honour and pleasure to lead you in this operation. Although combat is not expected, I can say with confidence and complete faith in you all that you'll assure my safety and conduct yourselves as the esteemed guardians and warriors of our beloved home world! The immortal Emperor watches over you and smiles upon you to accomplish your mission valiantly. Cadia Stands!"

"Cadia Lives!" The veterans replied in a unified shout.

"First Company! Move out!" Commissar Darius hollered firmly.

The Kasrkins jumped to action, quickly embarking in the Valkyries as the engines roared to life. Farestein curtly shook the hands of the colonels and of the Commissar before departing with Captain Parris to their designated transport.

The fleet of heavy aircrafts ascended into the air, their loud roars drowning out the city's traffic. The civilians watched in awe and apprehension as the Valkyries left the capital city, heading south and out of the country before cutting northwest towards the Empire of Giad's territories.

Republic of San Magnolia's Eastern Front, First Ward's Defensive Base

"Come on! Off your arses! Hustle up!" The commissar shouted angrily at the Alba conscripts.

The Republic soldiers quickly ran out of the C-130 Heraklès with their rifles slung behind one shoulder and their heavy rucksacks behind the other. The soldiers were then assembled by platoons, waiting anxiously for their set of orders. The draftees were spread out along the first defensive line, some were already deployed to man the trenches with the Korpsmen. The Cadians that now occupied Spearhead's base stared at them snidely or severely. For these Guardsmen, the Republic soldiers weren't proper warriors, inexperienced, complacent and cowards. The Alba troopers could feel the Cadians judgmental glares, feeling the pressure.

Commissar Elias van Hart was assigned to the San Magnolian 4th Infantry Battalion, making sure that all soldiers, from the rank-and-file to their battalion commander, didn't disobey their orders nor do they break when under fire.

His bale, icy blue eyes glared sternly at the inexperienced soldiers that stood fearfully at his attention. Their battalion commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Mazet, stood beside him, glancing warily at the commissar.

Van Hart took a step forward, his tall and intimidating figure casting a dreadful shadow over the men under his command.

"Soldiers! You are in the First Ward's Defensive line. In the Eastern Front, where the fighting's the hardest and bloodiest. You are here because the God-Emperor demands it! Your task is simple: to fight off the Legion by any means necessary! If you must fight till your dying breath, then die standing! If you must be an obstacle with your cold corpse, then we shall use it as a sandbag! If you see a deserter, then you shall use him for target practice! If not, then you'll answer to me. Do you understand me?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" They replied loudly.

"We shall see… Colonel Mazet," The commissar turned to the battalion commander, "Give your orders."

From the base's motor pool, Captain Lenck shook her head disapprovingly, hopping into the command Chimera.

"Bloody amateurs won't stand a chance…" She muttered while clipping on her helmet.

"Hehehe, too bad we won't be here to see them piss in their pants," The light tank's driver commented sarcastically, "Right, Aldrek?"

The gunner grunted in reply, spitting his tobacco into a small tin can.

"Cut the chatter. Company, let's move out!" Lenck ordered while doing wide circular motions in the air with a finger.

The armoured convoy rolled out of base and into the San Magnolian countryside, tracing the route left behind by Spearhead Squadron. They had one single goal in mind: to eliminate the Sheperd.

"mommymommymommy"

"helpmehelpmehelpme"

"nononononono"

The five Juggernauts stood motionlessly at a high ground, staring down at the endless ocean of Legion drones that swarmed the dried plains. The remaining Eighty-Six of Spearhead Squadron could only watch with wry smiles as they saw their incoming doom.

"Looks like we're dealing with every last god damn Legion in the area." Raiden commented half-jokingly, Shin could hear a faint trace of nervousness in his voice.

The mini-map in his LCD was filled with hostile red dots, each indicating a single Legion drone. Then, among the wails of the damned, a distinct scream reached his ears, grabbing his attention. The wicked smile grew longer.

"Shiinnnnnn!"

Everyone gasped, startled by the sudden maddening scream that pierced through their Para-Raid.

"Shin! That voice-"

"Keep going." He instructed as he drove forwards, "If you sneak through the forests, they won't find you as easily. Wait for them to pass then move on."

"What are-"

"Raiden… I'm leaving you in charge."

"What about you?!"

"I'll catch up once I've killed him." He replied coldly, focused and determined to accomplish his life's mission. "We can't move on until he's gone… I don't want too, anyway."

Raiden frowned at his statement, feeling frustration boiling in his veins. His grip on Werhwolf's handle sticks tightened.

"Besides… it doesn't seem that my brother wants me to leave…" He heard Shin's withdrawn statement.

"You know I would've fought with you if you asked me to, right?" Raiden grunted and glared at Undertaker's back, "So screw your orders! I'm coming along! We'll hold off the swarm while you do your thing, so make it quick."

Shin groaned in response, "You're a fool."

"And so are you." He shot back with a mocking grin. "Just don't die."

"By the Emperor…" One of the Scout Sentinels commented in shock.

"They're bleeding out of their minds! Just five of them against a whole fragging division?!" The scout leader cried out in disbelief, wiping his head towards Captain Lenck, "Captain, I seriously advise that we pull back and fortify a more advantageous position and await reinforcements."

"No."

"But this is suicide!"

"Sergeant, we are the Imperial Guard! And I'm not letting some child soldiers beat us to a glorious death. Is that clear?"

"Yes, captain!"

"Good. Take your Sentinels to that hill on the right flank and provide enfilade fire. The rest of the company will charge to the centre and draw them out, spread them out so we can eliminate them in detail." Lenck ordered, her calculated eyes observing the chaotic battlefield ahead of her.

"But-"

A lasbolt echoed as the scout leader's head jerked backward before his corpse slumped heavily on the Sentinel's command panels.

"Corporal Leif, you're now acting leader for Razor squad."

"Yes, captain!" The corporal replied with a proud salute, "Let's go, lads, time to make some scrap metal!"

As her elements rolled out, Lenck examined the battlefield. Four Juggernauts were separated from each other, drawing out most of the Legion force. However, it seemed to her that they are trying desperately to regroup with the lone Juggernaut that was going up close and personal with a Dinosauria.

"Nouzen…" She groaned in annoyance; his reckless actions will cost him and his fellow Eighty-Six their lives.

She then noticed, much to her shock, that the Dinosauria was actively destroying its own units that got too close to Nouzen's Juggernaut. She was now certain that the behemoth was a Sheperd, a high-value target, but was it possible that it had a close tie with Nouzen? Perhaps a late comrade or family member? More importantly, why hasn't he fired the flare gun?

"Captain! Should I call in the airstrike?" Her Vox-Operator asked hurriedly.

"Yes, call it in. Priority target on the main force." She answered with a deep frown.

"What about the HVT?" Her second-in-command, Colour Sergeant Lasko, inquired curiously.

"Under normal circumstances, I would've ordered the airstrike myself, damning any fool that was in the blast zone." Lenck replied frankly, "Unfortunately for us, Captain Nouzen is an invaluable asset to the war effort, hence we cannot risk losing him. I'll take First and Second platoons to the right flank and support Nouzen. You take the rest of the company in a frontal assault, draw out as many tin cans as possible."

"Roger that, Captain. Cadia stands, ma'am."

"Cadia stands, Colour-Sergeant."

The Chimera's engine shrieked as it sped down hill, the gunner laying down effective Heavy Bolter fire. The Guardsmen in the carrier compartment opened the top hatches and drew out their lasguns, letting loose an array of fiery lasrounds into the wave of Legion. Even the tank commander exposed himself to operate the pintle mounted Storm Bolter.

"Eat Bolter fire, you pieces of scrap!"

The Scout Sentinels ahead of the formation were already engaged in a savage close quarter combat with enemy Ameise and Grauwolf types. A Sentinel drove its chainsaw through an Ameise, the adamantium-carbon alloy teeth chewed viciously through the drone's hull and internal circuitry. A Grauwolf sprung from behind swinging down its high-frequency blade and slicing the Sentinel and the pilot in two.

Machine gun fire exchanged with Autocannon rounds and infernal torrent of Heavy Flamers. Chainsaws clashed with high-frequency blades. Hulls and bodies were trampled over.

Lenck's Chimera rammed violently into a pair of Ameise, the dozer blade crushed their thin chassis as they were flattened under the rough treads. A Löwe spun its gun turret and erratically opened fire, missing her vehicle and destroying a Sentinel a few dozen metres behind her. She swerved the Storm Bolter and unleashed its devastating rounds.

"For Emperor's sake! Reverse, driver!" Lenck yelled urgently.

"I'm bloody trying, ma'am!" The driver screamed frantically, rolling back into the flattened Ameise.

The turret swerved to the Löwe, suppressing the Legion tank. Though the Bolters' rounds weren't enough to punch through its thick armour, it was enough to blind it and destroy its weapons. The eight-legged war machine stomped around in frustration, like a savage animal, trying to crush the pesky Imperial Guard APC. A Hunter-Killer missile fired from a Sentinel delivered the finishing blow, the explosion ripped through the turret's rear.

+57mm Ammunition depleted+

"Damn it! I'm out," Theo announced loudly; Laughing Fox retreated backwards to Fido, "Fido, I need a reload. Quickly!"

"Those Guardsmen are getting shredded to pieces. The Hell are they doing?!" Kurena commented incredulously.

"It looks like they are not leaving as well." Anju noted pessimistically, "We got to do something…"

Raiden couldn't agree more, but the Legion has managed to cut them off from Shin, the only one that had the flare gun to call in air support. With just the five of them and only a company of the Imperial Guard, they won't survive much longer against the Sheperd's army. They'll run out of ammunition, and bodies, soon enough.

"God damn it… why does Shin have to be like that? Couldn't he at least give me the flare gun?" He berated. Suddenly his mini-map was swarmed with additional hostile dots, covering the entire map. He grinned wryly, "Great… just our luck…"

"To be honest with you, Raiden," Theo began while sending out salvos of 57mm shells, "That flare won't do much with those mayflies blocking out the freaking sun."

Then, as if to prove Theo wrong, two large infernos swept through the cloud of Eintagsfliege. The sun shone through the wide clearings, lighting up the battlefield.

"What the…?" The seasoned Name Bearer gasped with a startle when he felt a light tug in his left eye. His vision blurred and was seeing double: the right saw the battlefield while the left saw the inside of some desk with wide screens around. He barely spotted the faint reflection of a young girl with white silvery hair… with a silver bell voice to match with it.

"I'm burrowing your left eye, lieutenant Shuga." Major Milizé warned him firmly. "I do sincerely apologize for the intrusion, but the Republic's artillery crews are less reliable and inexperienced than the Imperial Guard's."

"Ah, excellent! They've arrived. To all units, this is Major Milizé, friendly artillery fire incoming! Brace for impact!"

"What in the Emperor's name?!" Captain Lensk looked upwards and noticed the familiar whistling of artillery shells from above, "Ah frag me! Brace!"

The Cadian infantry swiftly ducked into their hastily dug foxholes. A barrage of armour-piercing cluster munitions erupted; the rain of death pummelled whole squadrons of enemy drones, leaving out huge gaps in their ranks. The Guardsmen didn't waste any time and used this opportunity to strike back. In the meantime, Lena was relaying fire solutions to Republic and Krieg artillery batteries.

"What the fuck, Major!" Raiden exclaimed angrily, "Are you a god damn idiot?! Don't you remember that this crap can cause blindness to Handlers and Processors?!"

"I just needed visual confirmation, lieutenant, but I'm sure the view is distracting so I'll close my left eye." The Alba officer replied bluntly.

"You're breaking a lot of regulations, Milizé!" Raiden chastised her, "And those artillery fire? There's no freaking way you got permission for that!"

"Who gives a shit about regulations!" Lena shot back furiously, silencing both Raiden and Theo, "Blindness doesn't set in immediately and using weapons without permission won't kill me. If the Republic won't play with their own rules, I don't see why I should either. I should've done this a long time ago…"

Raiden smirked, "My God… I guess you are an idiot."

"It's not like I'm doing this for you guys. I'm doing this because I don't want to die." She explained coldly, "If I've done like most Handlers and just sit around with my thumb in my mouth, thousands of Guardsmen would die for millions of cowards and the frontlines would crumble."

"Until then, I'm asking you… no, I'm ordering you to push up with the Guard, link up and eliminate the Sheperd. I'll handle the reinforcements with artillery."

More artillery shells pounded the Legion to pieces of scrap, craving a destructive path straight to the Sheperd. The infantry and their armoured support pushed forwards, closing the gap and eliminating any limping Legion drone.

"To me! Give them Hell!" A Cadian sergeant shouted with vigour, bolstering the Guardsmen's morale.

With the enemy's rank in disarray, the Cadians were able to secure a path and let the remaining Juggernauts to manoeuvre and join the fray.

Captain Lenck was leading a platoon of Guardsmen when she came into view with the Sheperd unit, a behemoth of a Dinosauria, duelling savagely with the smaller and frail Juggernaut that was the Undertaker. But then something caught her attention.

As the Undertaker vaulted behind it and fired a shot at the back of its turret, the shell was firmly halted, no, caught by two liquid and silvery arms. Their fingers clasped around the shell, and it ignited, blowing apart the hands but did insignificant damage to the Dinosauria.

"What in Creed's name is this?" Lenck muttered in shock.

"Shiiiiiin!" The captain winced at the ear piercing and maniacal scream that shot through her modified Vox headset. "Stay away, you parasites!"

As if the Dinosauria communicated directly to her and her men, more liquid arms spurt out of the turret, hurdling themselves at the Cadians.

"Open fire!" A lieutenant ordered hastily before he was grabbed and flung away by one of the arms.

The Cadians opened fire erratically, overtaken with fear as they were being swathed and crushed by the Sheperd's arms. The lasrounds did nothing to them, the Dinosauria's heavy stubber unleashed a barrage of bullets, decimating the platoon of Guardsmen.

Lenck swiftly drew out her power sword and activated the blade. The electric hum that ran through the blade soothed her nerves as she prepares to engage her new target. An arm lunged at her from the side. She deftly changed her stance at the last second, expertly dodging the arm and sliced the sword through it. The hand dropped heavily on the ground, and it evaporated into a puddle of silver liquid.

Good, she thought, it was possible to disarm it… pun intended.

"Flamers and cookers up front! Evaporate these abominations!" She instructed sternly.

The special weapons teams quickly regrouped and formed the vanguard, their weapons easily chewed through the arms while the other Guardsmen shot down the Dinosauria's anti-personnel machine guns.

Annoyed and frustrated, the Dinosauria let out an animalistic roar and charged at the infantry. The arms swung wildly while its enormous feet stomped on any unfortunate soul. The Sheperd didn't care if it destroyed its own units; it just wanted to be left alone with Shin.

"Leave my brother alone!" The Sheperd screamed furiously.

"Keep firing! Defend Captain Nouzen at all costs! To the last fragging man if we must!"

Lenck dove to the ground as an arm swiped just above her, snatching a melta gunner and squishing him with ease. Bones cracked while guts and blood poured through the fingers. The fuse inside the melta gun detonated, melting the hand and the corpse.

She watched helplessly as her whole company was getting slaughtered by the Sheperd. Fear started to course through her as memories flashed before her eyes. Images of long-gone battlefields, streets filled with corpses and streams of blood, the senseless laughter and screams of heretical cultists that venerated their Chaos God.

Then that fear turned into a burning fury. Driven with zeal and determination, she sprung to her feet and grabbed a combat engineer's backpack. She hastily emptied the backpack and crammed as many krak grenades and melta bombs as possible.

"Captain! We need to fall back!" The platoon leader, Lieutenant Killian, advised urgently. "What in Holy Terra are you doing?"

"Making a bleeding satchel charge! Grab another pack and fill it with krak and melters!" She instructed with fury in her voice.

Nearby Guardsmen did as instructed, grabbing their own backpacks or from the fallen and shoved as many grenades as possible, waiting anxiously for their captain's order. She could see fear and apprehension in their eyes, they knew that only Death awaits them, but they were still willing to follow her as if the Emperor demands.

She waited for an opening, anything to catch the Sheperd's attention away from Nouzen. The nearby Ameise pinned her company down, her Chimeras and Sentinels were locked in combat with the Grauwolf and Löwe types and the other Juggernauts were too far to provide any significant difference.

Suddenly, the Dinosauria's arms lunged at Undertaker, grabbing the smaller Juggernaut and hurling it like a pebble on the ground. Shin's mech rolled violently on the surface, the high-frequency blades destroyed and its thin frame heavily damaged. No response came through her headset.

"Damn it…" She swore through gritted and watched as the arms extended towards Nouzen's disabled Juggernaut. "No other choice, charge! For Cadia!" She ordered at the top of her lungs.

The few remaining Guardsmen sprung to action; their battle cry deafened by the chaotic sounds of battle.

"Open fire!" Lieutenant Killian shouted.

The lasguns did nothing against its hull, but it didn't matter, they caught the Sheperd's attention. An arm swung to attack, crushing two Cadians and activating their dead man switch. The combined explosion of melta bombs and krak grenades was enough to obliterate the arm and sending an inextinguishable flame running up the member.

Other Guardsmen threw their satchel charges at its legs, ripping them to shreds. A lone melta gunner provided cover fire for Killian and Lenck as they charged to its rear. Without wasting a second, they activated their satchel charges and threw them at its legs and hull, hoping to immobilize it.

Half of the autonomous heavy tank's legs were destroyed, parts of its hull sustained critical damage thanks to the improvised anti-armour bombs.

"You worthless insects!" The Sheperd shouted at them through the Resonance, "You're wasting your time!"

Suddenly, something caught its eye. Up in the Legion-free sky, several black dots were plummeting towards it. It swerved rapidly for its massive size, crushing several Imperial Guardsmen and bashing away Sentinels in the process. The heavy tank groaned under its own weight as it tried to raise upward, its two surviving arms extended to the air as if to catch these black dots.

"Artillery! Hit the ground!" Lenck screamed urgently.

The artillery shells pierced their target, crashing forcefully into the armoured Legion… but no detonations followed suit. They were duds.

"Now! Open fire with everything you've got, Guardsmen!" A soft but determined voice reached the ears of all nearby units.

Prompted by the order, all infantry and vehicle units focused their weapons on the Sheperd and unleashed the Emperor's judgement. A hailstorm of lasrounds and Bolter rounds enveloped the Dinosauria, chewing through its armoured hull and disabling its remaining weapons, rendering it into a colossal pile of scrap metal.

As if awakened by her voice, the Undertaker deftly sprung back to life, pushing itself to the absolute limit and surging straight for the Sheperd, the back of its turret exposed to Nouzen. The arms lunged backwards in a futile attempt to stop him.

Shin pushed forwards, firing repeatedly through the arms that shielded the drone's weak point. When he was a point-blank range, a swarm of liquid micromachine penetrated his cockpit, smaller hands formed, reaching out for his neck.

"This is goodbye… brother."

Undertaker's cannon planted itself into the weak point. A deafening roar echoed from its barrel, delivering the final blow. Shourei Nouzen was finally put to rest by his baby brother.

Sankt Glycine Base, Wolfsland, Federal Republic of Giad's Western Front

"We're approaching the objective, general." The pilot announced coolly.

Farestein stood up and walked to the cockpit, peering just over the pilot's silhouette to stare out the glass canopy, observing the military base. The camp was quite spacious and large, it could easily house a whole division. To his surprise, he noticed that the hangars beside the tarmac were empty of any aircrafts. An air-control tower was built but the absence of an air force piqued an interest to him. He spun around and watched as the Kasrkins prepared themselves for an engagement.

The Valkyrie landed with a gentle spur. The rear hatch slid down; the glaring sun washed over the armoured silhouettes of the Cadian stormtroopers. They fanned out and formed a defensive bubble around the aircraft. The other Valkyries landed without incident, more Kasrkins poured out of their transports and soon the tarmac was filled with Imperial Guardsmen.

"Contact front! Multiple tanks and IFVs!" Hekler announced, prompting everyone to switch position and brace for an engagement.

The Kasrkins didn't hesitate to raise their weapons, waiting patiently for the order to fire. A line of massive, eight-legged tanks and wheeled trucks surged towards them, kicking up a wide plume of dust and smoke.

The walking tanks were more imposing and heavily armoured than the Juggernauts they were used to, resembling more akin to a Löwe type. A bright red optical sensor was implemented at the centre of the front hull, showing a painfully obvious weak point. The main battle cannon was mounted at the very rear of the turret, shaped in tandem, with two heavy stubbers sticking out.

Strangely enough, the tanks let out a more high-pitched engine rumbling rather than the heavy metallic roars of the Leman Russ and Rogal Dorn tanks.

The Infantry Fighting Vehicles were imposing eight-wheeled, armoured war machines, much taller than a Chimera or a Hellhound. Its chassis sat higher than its large wheels, with very angular and inclined armour plating. The IFVs were equipped with either autocannon turrets or twin-linked heavy stubbers. A prominent flag protruded from one of their antennas; it was a dark green flag featuring a double-headed eagle surrounded by eight golden stars.

The armoured vehicles spread out and encircled the Imperial Guard, their weapons pointed at them. The IFVs' rear ramps dropped, revealing heavily armoured foot soldiers that were similar to the Cadian Kasrkin. The soldiers moved with drilled discipline and excellent professionalism, a contrast to the child soldiers and recent conscripts of the Republic of San Magnolia.

"I'm starting to like these guys." Pavlo commented jokingly.

"Looks like we've found the proper soldiers." Holmes agreed with a nod and turned to Captain Parris. "Should we stand down, sir?"

The company commander raised a placative hand, "Not now. They might open fire at the slightest movement."

General Farestein walked forwards, gently pushing aside any Guardsman that stood in his way and faced confidently towards the line of armoured soldiers and vehicles.

"I am General Farestein of the Astra Militarum." He presented himself in a throaty bellow, "My soldiers and I represent the mighty hammer of the Imperium. We've made contact a few days ago and agreed to meet in this base. I formally request to speak with the highest-ranking officer."

A lone walked out of formation, the only one that was covered in armour. Instead, he wore a steel-grey formal uniform, dark brown leather boots, a leather pistol hip holster and golden shoulder tabs that denoted his rank. As the man approached him, Farestein could make out more details about the man.

He was much younger than him, probably in his early thirties, but he could tell that the officer had battle experience and displayed a stern and serious aura. His right eye was covered by a black eyepatch.

He halted a few feet apart of him and prompted a salute, respecting Farestein's seniority and rank.

"I am Major General Richard Altner, commander of the 177th Armoured Division; 8th Army Corps, Western Army of the Federal Republic of Giad. I formally welcome you to Wolfsland, the western front."

Liberté et Égalité, Republic of San Magnolia, September 29th SY 2148

The Tempestus Scions manoeuvred quietly through the alley way, being mindful of their surroundings. The two rigid lines of elite stormtroopers closed in on their target building, a three-story hab building. It was suspected to house a dozen of traitor conspirators as well as potentially storing weapons caches and valuable intel.

They stacked up at the rear entrance door, splitting up. The point-man tried the handle; locked. He lightly knocked his carapace helmet twice. Another Scion walked up to the door and pulled out a battering ram.

"Ramming." He whispered.

With a single and powerful swing, he broke the wooden slab down. The violent crash alerted some of the residents on the ground floor. The stormtroopers acted quickly and precisely, rushing in and going straight for their designated targets.

"What the hell?"

"Waitwaitwait!"

Terrified screams were drowned by the flurry of hot-shot lasrounds as the Black Dragoons executed their targets. The other residents were agitated by the sudden raid. Some sympathisers to the Holy San Magnolian cause tried to assault the stormtroopers. The response was swift and deadly.

"Hey asshole- woah!"

The Scion swiftly threw the Alba man to the floor with a resounding crash. He then stomped on his ribs, emptying his lungs and neutralized the annoying obstacle with a kick to the head.

"Teams 1 and 2, move up. Team 3, secure the ground floor." The platoon leader instructed calmly.

The columns reformed and charged up the staircase. Arriving in the hall, a rebel sprung out of her room, a handgun pointed at one of the Black Dragoons. She was immediately eliminated by a shower of lasrounds. Her corpse slumped unnaturally, blood and guts pouring out of the gaping and cauterised wounds while the Tempestus Scions coldly resumed with their operation.

Half an hour later, the surviving suspects were rounded in front of the building. The residents were evacuated out of the hab building, ferried away by the Republic security force. Interrogator Haveloch stood silently over the bound rebels, his ominous crimson eyes from his faceplate sent fear and dread down their spines.

"There's no point in hiding. I know what you are: traitors, heretics, blasphemers and cowards." He began in a cold and emotionless voice. "Confess now and you may die with your soul redeemed. Or else we'll have to punish the rest of the residents of this hab block."

"You wouldn't dare!" A young man spoke out defiantly.

"Oh?" Haveloch marched towards him and stared lifelessly back at him, "And why do you believe that, Michael Renar?"

"H-how do you know my name?"

"It doesn't matter. It seems that I was mistaken, you are all useless pawns to the Holy Order's cause. Expendable. No matter, we'll end your life swiftly." He stated before he swiftly stabbed the young man through the heart.

The others closed their eyes and grimaced, some sobbed quietly while one glared furiously at Haveloch.

"I think this one knows something, Interrogator." A Scion noticed while kicking the suspect to the ground.

"Tell me, traitor, do you fear me?" Haveloch asked as he knelt down, observing the Alba face-to-face.

"Go fuck yourself!" He spat venomously.

The interrogator violently backhanded his prey, blood and teeth splattered on the road. He sighed theatrically and playfully patted the man's shoulder.

"You'll break soon, they all do." He stood up and faced the Scions, "Take these heretics back to headquarters, purge the rest of the heathens."

The rebels were forcefully picked up and pushed into the Chimeras, protesting helplessly and vigorously as they begged for mercy while the residents of the hab block were lined up against the wall. The Republic police officers grimly looked away, hiding their shame while the faceless stormtroopers methodically gunned down the elderly, women and children.

Once again, the screams of protest and rebellion were swiftly and brutally silenced, their blood streamed down the streets.

While the elite troopers embarked in their Taurox APCs, Interrogator Haveloch approached the squad of police officers, evidently disturbed and wary of their Imperial rulers.

"Lieutenant Haume," He called the squad leader. The young man walked forwards, he was an Alba in his late twenties, his white hair cut short and clean, his chiselled face neatly shaved. "Do you wish to speak frankly?"

Haume hesitated before nodding reluctantly, "When… when will this end, sir? We've been killing our own people… we're suppose to protect and serve!... sir…"

Haveloch wordlessly observed the officer before him. His Prussian-blue Republic uniform was pristine and clean, untainted by grime or bloodstains. Naïve, innocent… inexperienced.

"Young man. You are protecting your people and Humanity. You are serving the Imperium by purging these streets from heretics and traitors. The galaxy is perilous and filled with untold cosmic horrors and wicked xenos…" He leaned forward, his ominous glaring optical sensors burning into Haume's psyche, "This is but a small and necessary price to pay to uphold and maintain order and discipline among the civilian populace. You should be proud and honoured of the uniform you wear, lieutenant."

Haveloch grabbed Haume's right arm and looked at the other police officers behind him, "The Emperor watches over you. Do your duty and uphold His holy light. There's no room for doubt."

With those words, he unsheathed his combat dagger and plunged the blade deeply into Haume's guts. The Alba officer folded, a pained groan rolled in his throat, his silver eyes wide open with shock and pure fear. He weakly held onto Haveloch, clawing desperately against his carapace armour.

"Your squad leader has failed you. His doubts may have already tainted your souls," He ungracefully pulled the blade out and kicked the dying man on the ground, "However, I'm willing to give you spineless dogs a chance. Prove me wrong or face the same fate."

Author's Note: Salut, finally back from hiatus. I've got another chapter coming up soon this week... probably. Anyways, don't hesitate to review, it always helps and I hope you enjoy it. A la prochaine and for Managed Democracy!