Chapter X:
Final Destination
Republic of San Magnolia's Eastern Front, First Ward, August 27th SY 2148
"All units, this is Excelsior. Be advised: multiple and confirmed visual reports of enemy jammers and bats. Vox-comms will be down, and the target area hidden. Stay frosty, gents. The Emperor protects."
"This is Crimson 6; we're closing on target location. To all flyers, prepare to engage." Captain Valiger announced to the squadrons of Marauder bombers and their escorts of Lightning fighters.
The Lightning squadrons pushed up and spread out in the front and sides of the Marauders. The afternoon sky was clear of clouds yet one massive veil of silver hovered in place. The swarm of the Legion's Eintagsfliege covered a wide area in the air, blotting out the sun, casting down a long shadow and creating an invisible barrier that jammed communications between ground and air forces. The pilots were briefed about the tiny drones and were aware of the dangers they faced. Although the butterfly-like drones lacked any weapons, they compensated with their overwhelming numbers to charge through an aircraft's engines and blow them up from the inside. Another role they filled was to ensure connection to the Legion's Wide Area Network between the ground forces and their chain of command. Each mayfly represented a ground drone.
"This is Tempest leader to Crimson 6. We're approaching the target location, we'll begin engaging. Good luck and may the Emperor be with you."
"May the Emperor be with you too, Tempest leader." Valiger replied grimly as he witnessed the Lightnings surging forwards, opening with a devastating salvo of autocannon fire. "Get ready, lads! Gunners, keep your eyes open and prepare for combat!" He yelled to the rest of his crew.
His navigator mumbled a small prayer while he clipped on his rebreather and brought down his goggles. Suddenly, the swarm of Eintagsfliege surged out, the Lightning were swiftly overwhelmed. All the gunners in the bomber opened fire, Heavy Bolters and Lascannons scythed through the hostile cloud.
"They're bleeding everywhere!" The nose gunner hollered.
Already a dozen of aircrafts were destroyed by the Legion's seemingly endless wave of butterflies. The Navy's aircrafts tried to outmanoeuvre the swarm, spreading out and dragging their pursuers higher into the sky. While the Lightnings had the speed and agility to outrun the Legion menace, the Marauders were much bigger preys and became easy targets.
"Frak! I can't see the target!" The bombardier alerted frantically.
"Navigator! Are we close to the target area?" Valiger asked loudly as he struggled with the flight sticks.
The navigator fumbled with his augur array; the Legion's electromagnetic disruption units were scrambling his cogitator's screens. He slapped the side of the device and it blinked for a second their current location.
"One clicks out, Major!"
"Crimson 7 and 8 are down!"
"Ah Hel!" Valiger picked up his vox-comms handset, "All Crimson! Release payloads now!"
"Bombs away!" The bombardier released the internal bomb bay and let loose a rain of six, one-thousand pounds, Heavy General-Purpose High Explosive bombs.
Captain Valiger also released the external payloads under the wings. Twelve additional Mk.3, five-hundred pounds, General-Purpose bombs plummeted towards the earth. The Marauders let loose their payloads while battling with the horde of Einstagflieges. Two bombers collided in mid-air with some of their external bombs still on them. A violent and fiery explosion ruptured in the sky, a brutal inferno swept through a wide area, sweeping indiscriminately through Legion and Imperial Navy assets.
Valiger's tail gunner was caught in the flames, howling in agony. The bombardier quickly caught to him and euthanized the young man with a lasbolt in the head.
"Stavros' dead, Cap."
"Copy… you did the right thing, Ogg." The pilot reassured the rest of the crew. "He did not die in vain. Our ground boys will make quick work with the enemy."
Shin watched with amazement at the dogfight occurring above them. Explosive flashes detonated in the sea of Einstagfliege as the Imperial Navy fought through. Under pressure and taking losses, the bombers released their ordnances pre-maturely. It was reported that only fifty percent of the munitions hit the Legion's base. It was now up to the Imperial Guard's artillery to finish the job. That would get the attention of the Legion once the cannons start to sing.
He then shifted his gaze to his right. The Praetors rolled up into position, their impressive multiple missile launchers rose upwards as the gunners inserted their target coordinates. In the distance behind him, he could faintly hear the Earthshaker cannons' booms, the ground quaking with each detonation.
The Praetors launched their Foehammer missiles, a thick plume of dust and smoke enveloped the heavily armoured mastodons. He felt his bones rattling, the fierce and powerful shockwaves swept through the entire area of operation.
While the bombardments pounded the Legion's forward base, the Krieger's armoured platoons charged forwards, their Storm Chimeras and Leman Russ tanks would launch a raid then draw out the Legion back to the first defensive line.
The Cadians of First Company were on stand-by with their Taurox and Chimera armoured transports, hidden under the heavy shades of the forest. Reports flooded the vox-comms as the Death Korps made contact with an enemy counter-attack and casualties were mounting rapidly. The Kriegers' Fourth Company was wiped out while their armoured platoons were decimated. A tactical withdrawal was soon issued.
"Undertaker, report." Major Milizé inquired calmly.
"We're in position, Major. The Imperial Guard have launched their feint, but something feels off…" Shin's eyes narrowed, the voices of the dead intensified by the second and came from everywhere. A Sheperd was close, but he couldn't pinpoint its exact position yet.
His eyes suddenly flashed open in shock, "Everyone scatter!"
A barrage of 120mm tank shells pounded their position. Chimeras and Guardsmen were blown apart and torn to pieces. The Eighty-Six barely avoided the barrage, some were caught in the violent shockwaves.
"Throne! Contact to our right!" He heard a Kasrkin yell urgently.
Lasfire shot through the swarm of anti-personnel mines. A few of Chimeras equipped with Heavy Bolter turret roared fiercely, the large explosive rounds punched through their ranks.
From across the riverbank, a second salvo of tank shells opened fire. Helianthus took a direct hit; the Juggernaut's canopy blew up as the main armament flew into the air.
"Shit! Touma's hit!" Haruto screamed, a sense of dread and horror crept in his voice.
"Where the hell are they?" Kurena asked frantically.
"Spread out! Incoming Skorpion fire!" Major Milizé shouted erratically.
On instinct, the Juggernauts broke formation without sparing a second to warn the Cadians. The enemy artillery fire struck the right flank, decimating the Cadians and Eighty-Six. Disoriented and pinned down by accurate fire, a wave of Ameise and Grauwolf types surged out of the woods and charged head-on.
Frantic reports polluted the vox-comms; the tanks and Sentinels on the left flank had to retreat as well, defeated by a new type of artillery fire.
Overwhelmed and outgunned, they were forced to abandon the first line. In the air, the Marauder and Lighting squadrons, heavily battered, retreated to Cadia's Requiem for refuelling and rearming.
Along the trenches of the secondary defensive line, Korpsmen waited wordlessly for the Legion to come. Their calm breathing contrasted with the sporadic and hectic distant explosions and gunfire. Death Marshall Arnem surveyed the horizon, the heavy mortars of the 78th Company have already pre-sighted and awaited his command.
The general alarm was sounded; tank and mechanized infantry companies scrambled to join the battle. The Master-Vox standing behind him received an urgent communication. A couple of subtle words were exchanged before he took a step forward.
"Herr Marshall, a report from the centre line. It seems that the enemy is focusing on the Spearhead Squadron. They are pushing for our right flank." The faceless Korpsman stated.
"Redirect the armour to our right flank. Send the Grenadiers to reinforce Spearhead. Tell the Cadians to push forward and link up with the centre line. We'll intercept the enemy in a pincer manoeuvre." Arnem instructed plainly.
The Chimera swerved around forcefully, the rear ramp dropped and the Kasrkins jumped out, establishing an improvised firing line. The First Company has retreated to the edge of town where Heavy Weapons squads awaited the Legion wave.
The Juggernauts spread out and hoisted themselves on top of buildings, gaining a more advantageous firing line. The Basilisks poured out high explosive shells on the enemy, shattering their formations and scything their ranks, yet it won't be enough to stop their incessant charge.
"Damn it! I spotted a couple of Dinosauria types!" Kurena warned in aggravation.
"Wehrwolf…"
"Yeah, yeah, already on vox with the Cadians…" Raiden bluntly cut him off, contacting Captain Parris through their vox channel. "Reinforcements are inbound. We just need to hold them off long enough." He informed to the rest of the squadron.
"Contact front!"
All of a sudden, an earth-shattering explosion erupted near Shin. A powerful shockwave blasted through them. He witnessed a tall plume of dust and ash looming over them as the building crumbled. A stunned silence filled the void in the Resonance as they witnessed Chise's destruction.
Another powerful detonation tore through the town, tearing apart Cadians and Fafnir. Louie's Juggernaut was thrown several meters in the air before it crashed violently into a crater.
Then the Löwe opened fire, devastating the disoriented defenders. Kaie's Juggernaut disappeared under a pile of concrete rubble and ash. Manticore's right legs were shredded, immobilizing him in the middle of the street. Whole teams of Heavy Weapons were vaporized. The right flank was on the verge of collapse.
"Where the fragging Hel did that came from?!" Mons shouted in anger as they took refuge behind a wrecked Chimera.
"Doesn't matter. We must hold this line. Don't let them get past us!" Holmes ordered sternly, leading a rabble of Kasrkins from other platoons.
Hot-shot lasguns spewed out a hail of highly concentrated beams, the Legion's drones dropped like flies as they close in with their targets. Bombast field guns thundered with fury and vengeance. Autocannons and Lascannons poured down accurate burst on the enemy. Plasma and Melta guns lashed out, their powerful attacks perforated their unfortunate targets.
"Keep firing!" Captain Parris shouted with determination and ferocity, "Cadia lives! Cadia stands!"
"Cadia stands!" His Guardsmen replied with renewed strength and zeal.
"All units, this is Captain Parris! Initiate combat protocol Gamma-13! Pull these abominations into the city!"
The Imperial Guardsmen withdrew deeper in the ruins under the cover of artillery fire. The Juggernauts followed suit, abandoning their high ground in favour of the narrow and winding streets of the city. The Legion kept charging despite the atrocious losses they were taking, pursuing the humans and splitting their forces through the urban jungle.
The Kasrkins took cover in the buildings, setting up their ambush points. Katra looked attentively at Holmes' raised hand. She was crouched down with the detonator to the Melta bombs in her hands. The Legion seemed to have taken the bait, pushing through the streets in scattered and much smaller units.
Holmes narrowly peered out of the improvised murder-hole. He let a few of the Ameise and Grauwolf types pass by his platoon, the Melta bombs would be overkill for these small fries. Besides, further ahead, Guardsmen of the Eighth and Thirteenth companies have erected pillboxes and anti-tank traps in designated kill boxes, waiting eagerly to unleash the Emperor's wrath.
The ground trembled lightly as a herd of Löwe types egressed through their ambush zone. Holmes' raised hand bawled into a tight fist.
Execute.
Hekler pushed down the detonator. The Melta bombs ignited beneath the tanks' hull, punching through their armour and central processors, scorching and liquifying their insides.
"Open fire! Obliterate these abominations!"
At ground level, Kasrkins pushed out with Plasma and Melta guns, vaporizing any Legion drone that stood nearby. Krak grenades flew, shredding armour with ease. Hot-shot lasfire pierced and burned the enemy with blistering and indiscriminate fury. The elite Kasrkins of First Company made the enemy pay dearly for killing their comrades.
The pillboxes lit up, Autocannon and Heavy Bolter rounds eviscerated the hostile drones. A wall of lasgun fire washed the lighter types away. Heavy flamers spewed out from windows above them. Krak missiles eliminated the remaining Löwe types.
Snaking through the winding streets and maze-like alleys were small teams of Sentinels, Hellhounds and Devil Dogs, mercilessly hunting down any scattered enemy units. Valkyries and Vultures performed effective gun runs throughout the city, raining down anti-tank rockets and lascannons on their foes.
"The Imperial Guard are thinning down the Legion, but their artillery types are still up and running. Stay on the move and don't bunch up," Major Milizé warned her squadron through the Sensory Resonance as she observed the hectic and ever-changing battlefield. "The tanks of the left flank are encountering heavy resistance. You're going to be alone for a while longer."
"We'll handle it, Major. Just keep us updated with the enemy composition." Shin replied bluntly, his mind focused on the battle.
"Of course! We're going to win this fight!" She said with determination and passion in her voice.
"Quite the change from the princess. We should change your nickname," Theo commented sarcastically.
"Stay focused, people. The Cadians are counting on us." Raiden reprimanded firmly.
"Kirschblüte, are you still with us?" Shin asked after he sliced through an Ameise with ease.
"Y-yeah! A bit dazed but I'm still alive. I'm with Manticore and he's still alive… we need help like right now!" Kaie answered through laboured breaths.
"Copy. We're pushing to your position now. Don't bunch up, that enemy artillery can still be up." Shin instructed coldly.
Undertaker slid to the side, dodging an incoming tank shell. The war machine charged forward, nimbly vaulting over obstacles and closing fast on the target. The Löwe fired another round at point-blank range. Shin pushed Undertaker to its limits, jumping on the side of a building. He replied with a fire of 57mm APFSDS round, knocking out the Legion's main armament. The smaller and agile mech then propelled itself to the Löwe's turret, plunging its cannon on the lightly armoured top of the turret.
Shin mercilessly opened fire, instantly destroying the drone's central processor. He jumped back and deftly blocked a Grauwolf's strike with his high-frequency blades. Sparks flew, metal grinded against each other and screeched. Undertaker skidded to its flank, driving the blades through its hull, effectively cutting it in two.
Two Ameise were swiftly eliminated by the timely intervention of Haruto and Chise. Their secondary heavy machine guns roared, blasting away a small horde of self-propelled mines. No words were exchanged as they pushed further with Shin at the lead.
Kaie's Juggernaut narrowly dodged another salvo of tank shells, destroying the building behind her. Sweat poured out of her face as she fends off an endless wave Legion drones, doing her best to take the pressure off Kuroto and his immobilized Juggernaut.
"Damn it!" She swore under her breath as a burst of rounds pierced her canopy, almost hitting her head.
Manticore tried to move again, dragging its battered chassis out of the rubbles. The left legs groaned painfully; its aluminium hull scraped loudly against the concrete floor. She could hear Kuroto hissed with each pull as bullets and high-explosive shells soared by him.
"Manticore, what are you doing?" She asked warily.
"I'm not dying in a freaking ditch! And I'm not dragging you to Hell with me! Go! Save yourself!"
"Have you lost the plot?!" She yelled at him angrily, taking out a Grauwolf with a well-placed Sabot round.
"Aaaah… shit!"
"Manticore!" Major Milizé shouted in panic.
A tank shell impacted the ground beneath Kuroto's Juggernaut, molten shrapnel perforated the thinly armoured hull, striking him. His drew a short and sharp breath, groaning and hissing in agony.
"Stay with me, Kuroto!" Kirschblüte jumped in front of Manticore, shielding her comrade with her own body. "Hang in there! Help is on the way!"
A trio of Vultures flew pass them, unleashing a burst of rockets and hard-hitting rounds from their wing-mounted Punisher gatling cannons. Hundreds of hot empty bullet casings dropped on top of Kirschblüte and Manticore. The gatling cannons let out a terrifying electrical howl as it chewed through the poorly armoured Legion units, leaving behind a graveyard of perforated and smoking husks.
"Kirschblüte, can you retrieve Manticore? Or at least extract him out of his Juggernaut?" Major Milizé asked, her usual silver bell voice was shaken and cautious.
"I'll try, Major." Kaie replied curtly. She switched on her Resonance to Manticore, keeping her steady eyes on the hazy battlefield ahead of her. "Kuroto, can you move?"
"Crap… I can't feel my left leg," He replied dryly, breathing heavily, "Just go already. Save yourself…"
She clicked her tongue and walked backwards to be beside the downed Juggernaut. She unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed her assault rifle, opening the canopy and exposing herself.
"The Hell you're doing?!" She could hear him shout in bafflement.
"Saving your sorry ass!" She retorted sarcastically, banging on Manticore's hull with the butt of her rifle, "Open the canopy now!"
The Juggernaut hissed as the pilot's door pulled itself open with some difficulty. She climbed up to the compartment and gasped in shock. Kuroto was bleeding profusely out of his gaping and smouldering wounds. He was sweating abundantly and trembled feverishly, the colour on his face fading by the second.
"H-hey…" He said weakly, struggling to release himself from the seatbelt.
Kaie turned around as she heard the sounds of an engine and metallic treads grinding on asphalt. To their luck, a column of a Chimera and Devil Dogs was approaching their location. She raised an arm and waved at them. The tank commander at the head of the convoy waved back.
"The medics are here. They'll fix you up quickly, trust me." She reassured him as she gently pulled him out of his post.
Kuroto let out a pained scream, it felt like he was being ripped away from his left leg. Kaie grimaced as she continued to pull him out, ignoring his pleas to abandon him. Under normal circumstances she would, the Eighty-six weren't meant to survive long in the battlefield. But ever since her rescue by the Kasrkins, she came to realise that there was still hope in life, that their final destination wasn't their tomb. She cherished every waking moment of breathing, eating, playing and having her friends around to the fullest. She refused to let anyone die by her side anymore.
Cadian Shock troopers disembarked from the Chimera, forming a defensive perimeter around the Juggernauts while the medic and a stretcher bearer ran to the two pilots. Kaie was determined to save Kuroto's life and gritted her teeth, his weight greatly weighing her down.
"We have him, little one. Get back to your mech!" The medic instructed her as he gently took Kuroto.
"Incoming!"
She felt the ground disappearing beneath her feet, a ferocious hellfire washed over her whole body, spiking through her back. Though she felt her mouth open to scream, she couldn't hear a sound emanating from herself or the people around her, not even the booms and gunfire of the battle.
The world around her vanished.
A herd of Ameise and Grauwolf passed through the horrible onslaught, mindlessly pushing aside the armoured vehicles and crushing corpses. A Grauwolf halted mid-track and looked down at the barely alive corpse of a young girl. Its glowing and cold optical sensor analysed the anomaly.
No... please...
It raised its right front leg and smashed her head in, carefully picking apart the remaining brain matter to assimilate in the endless horde of the Legion.
I don't want to die...
Katra emotionlessly observed the devastation and destruction in front of her. Thunderbolt heavy fighters and Vulture gunships soared over the ruined city, raining rockets and rounds into the retreating Legion. Imperial Guard Leman Russes and Rogal Dorns mercilessly gunned down the hostile drones, chasing after them with zeal and vengeance. Meanwhile, the infantry got to stand down and breathe for a moment. The battle was won but at a terrible cost. Two whole companies were massacred to the last man. The Spearhead Squadron suffered greatly, losing five Processors in a couple of hours. A new type of Legion artillery was discovered, capable of firing massive projectiles at 4000 meters per second, its last known launch point was 120 kilometres East-Northeast from them, way beyond the Legion's, now destroyed, forward base and the Republic's Eastern border.
Such destructive weapon was unheard of in the Republic's records, but to Admiral Ravenkin, only a railgun was capable of such long-range accuracy and devastation. That also meant that it could potentially be used against any vessel that hovered too close to the surface.
The female Kasrkin cautiously walked towards the massive crater, looking around in silent astonishment and dread. If the Legion was capable of developing railgun cannons even before the humans of this planet, Emperor knows what other weapons and deadly units the unmanned army could develop to wipe out Humanity.
She stopped abruptly at a headless corpse. Kneeling down, she inspected the body; looking for any particular physical traits that would help her identify it. The frame was quite short and slim, it was perhaps two or three heads smaller than her. Unable to do so, she continued to head over the crater, where a macabre structure of twisted and molten pile of metal laid haphazardly on the edge. She distinguished two Juggernauts and managed to spot a bright red and stylized marking on one of them.
It showed a cherry blossom... Kaie's personal mark.
A sharp gasp escaped her mouth though barely audible under her carapace helmet. She tentatively reached her hand out and gingerly traced the painting, afraid that she would wipe it away by accident.
Her head hung low; shoulders lightly heaved as tears flowed down her cheeks. "I'm sorry…" She repeated weakly. Standing quietly behind her were two other Kasrkins, Mons and Gelt. They quietly watched over her, not daring to interrupt her silent and short mourning. Though they didn't show it, they were upset and saddened by the loss of the Eighty-Six, Mons' grip around his hot-shot volley gun tightened aggressively, suppressing his boiling anger.
"They didn't deserve this…" Gelt commented lowly.
"None of us do, Gelt, yet here we are in another struggle against an enemy that wants to wipe us all out. Nothing new to us." Mons replied coldly.
Gelt turned to him with his head tilted lightly to the side, as if confused by his out-of-character statement, "True but still… they are children…"
"No, they are warriors, tempered by years of combat against a terrible foe. They are loyal soldiers of the Emperor now, like any of us in the galaxy. We all live and die for the Imperium, this changes nothing, Gelt."
"So, you tell me you weren't disturbed when the Moebians drafted teenagers to the frontlines?" Gelt asked pointedly, "Or when orphans were used as live mine clearing tools on Tertium? Or bait when the heretics launched their gas attack on hundreds of them?"
"… no…" Mons answered stoically, "Cadia was lost when thousands of Whiteshields still fought for their lives, but they became martyred heroes. It's the same here, the Eighty-Six that died will be remembered as heroes. And we will honour them by living and killing the enemies of the Emperor. That's it."
"Oi, you two!" Sergeant Pavlo hailed them with anger in his voice, "Stop gawking around and keep moving! This sector hasn't been clear yet. Move it!"
Meanwhile, at a forward command post near the town's edge, Colonel Frazyer gathered the company commanders of his regiment, giving them a debrief of the battle. The makeshift infrastructure was an abandoned school riddled with bullet holes, cave ins and shattered windows. Some gaps were filled up with tall sandbag walls, the rooftop transformed into a mortar firing pit with two Heavy Bolters and a Lascannon to defend the command post.
"Gentlemen, we have confirmation from the cog-boys that the enemy now possesses a mobile rail gun artillery piece. They are matching our firepower and can now threaten any vessel that hovers too close to the atmosphere." He explained stoically, "This will hamper our logistics. So that means we will need to rely on the locals to step up and supply our frontlines."
A few groans of protest erupted by the officers but didn't add much else, their grime and ash covered faces listened attentively to their regimental commander.
"Until the 605th Armoured is fully deployed, we will need to stand our ground. All counter-offensive operations have been postponed until further notice." He stated, slightly displeased with the order himself. His stern gaze shifted to Captain Parris, "Captain Parris, I'm taking your company out of QRF. First company has suffered enough casualties and will be reassigned to the second echelon QRF."
"Who's replacing us, Colonel?"
"That'll be Second Company. The reassignment will take effect immediately after this meeting."
"Will do, sir."
First Ward's Defensive "Spearhead Squadron" base
All nine remaining pilots of Spearhead watched wordlessly and stoically as the Guardsmen of First Company packed up their equipment and personal effects and embarked on the Valkyries. At the same time, a fresh column of Chimeras rolled through the tarmac to drop off the men and women of Second Company. The lobotomized Servitors dutifully carried the supplies to their designated locations.
Parris was exchanging a few words with Captain Lenck. Second Company's commander was a tall woman, standing just shy under Lieutenant Holmes. Like most Cadian veteran, she also bare numerous gruesome scars. The left half of her face was completely disfigured by deep and contorted cuts and burn scars. Yet despite her grievous wounds, she refused cybernetic augments for her soulless, and deteriorated, left eye.
She wore the standard Cadian uniform, an olive drab flak armour donned over the woodland camouflage pattern fatigues, minus the shoulder pauldrons. A long combat knife was attached to her left shoulder for close-quarters combat.
After their brief discussion, she respectfully saluted Parris before turning to the group of Eighty-Six, her only violet eye landed on Shin. He was slightly surprised that the towering Cadian walked towards his group but figured that it was protocol to greet the commanding officer of another unit.
Lenck saluted sharply at the Eighty-Six and fixed her gaze on him, "Captain Nouzen, I'm Captain Ryze Lenck, commanding Second Company. It is a pleasure and honour to fight with Spearhead Squadron."
Shin saluted back, "It is an honour to have you and your men with us, ma'am."
Lenck's lips curled into an amused grin, "We're the same rank, Nouzen, you can call me by my last name. You've already earned my respect…" She then glanced at the other Eighty-Six, "All of you did. It takes some guts to face the enemy up close with defective and cheap war machines like your Juggernauts. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"I'll keep that in mind, ma- sorry – Lenck."
The woman shook her head with a chuckle, "If you really have a hard time, then captain will have to do."
"Thank you." Shin replied appreciatively.
Holmes' squad embarked on the Valkyrie, silently taking their seats. Flight Lieutenant Jenniah walked down the narrow path that ran from her cockpit to the rear ramp. She gave the Kasrkins a sympathetic smile, aware of the casualties their company has suffered. The pilot met Holmes just outside of her aircraft; he seemed to be deep in his thoughts as he stared at the group of Eighty-Six.
"Hey," She chimed carefully, being mindful to not startle him. "We're green to go on your word, Holmes."
The Cadian shifted his gaze towards her, blinking his trance away. He nodded and walked to his seat, patting her shoulder twice along the way. The Moebian woman signalled her crew to their post, they were about to depart.
The Valkyrie's engines roared, jolting as it ascended to the air. It veered to another direction before it flew off, leaving the Spearhead base to the Guardsmen of Second Company.
The Eighty-Six quietly went back to their duties, making repairs to their Juggernauts and preparing for their final assignment: the Special Reconnaissance Mission.
Palace Blancneige, August 30th SY 2148
"Mankind stands upon the shoulders of martyred,
Seek not knowledge, but vengeance,
The word of the Emperor is the rule of the Imperium,
The will of the Emperor is the might of the Imperium,
The blessing of the Emperor is the light of the Imperium,"
"Ave Imperator."
"Ave Imperator." The Republic recruits repeated solemnly as the preachers passed through their ranks, reciting the Imperial Cult while spreading holy essence in an almost trance like state.
Servo-skulls blasted holy music or chants in High Gothic above their heads, parading aimlessly while the soldiers in-training attended their daily sermons. The youngest of them were on their knees, hands joined and interlocked fervently, eyes closed and repeating the preacher. Others prayed in silence; heads bowed down in worship to the golden statue of the Imperial Aquila erected in the palace's praying chamber.
The large room was packed with Alba military personnel that routinely attended the sermons, voluntarily or not. The watchful eye of a Commissar and his retinue of Tempestus Scions struck fear on the non-believers, desperately trying to blend in with the masses. With a single head nod from the intimidating officer of the Commissariat, two Scions walked towards a recruit and violently pulled him out of the chamber. His pleas for mercy and redemption fell on deaf ears as none of the other recruits flinched or dared to glance at the scene.
After the sermons, the Commissar led the recruits and in-training officer cadets to the outdoor courtyard. They assembled in rigid and disciplined formations around the square where a statue dedicated to San Magnolia stood at the centre of the courtyard. At the statue's base were two dozen men and women; bounded and on their knees. They were suspected of being seditious traitors or heretics with misplaced faith, refusing to adhere to the Imperial Cult. These suspects came from all branches of the Republic Armed Forces, all ranks included.
Standing watch emotionlessly was a squad of Tempestus Scions. The elite stormtroopers were donned in black and bronze Tempestus-pattern Carapace Armour with their fearsome Omnishield Helm that had glowing red eyes and a white skull motif painted on the faceplate, resembling the Grim Reaper.
One of them appeared before the group of twenty suspects. He wore the Omnishield faceplate and a crimson beret. He silently scanned the individuals with the glowing optical sensors, as if he can judge their innocence with a mere look.
"I am Interrogator Thane Haveloch. I serve the Inquistion of the Ordo Hereticus. My specialty: to break the traitors; to search and exterminate the heretics and purge the mutant and the witch. Innocence proves nothing." He stated menacingly. Dreadful silence reigned in the courtyard, the recruits and cadets forced to watch the scene unfolding before them.
"I am acutely aware that there are traitors and non-believers among your ranks. You cannot hide from me or my men. We will find you. To the members and sympathizers of the Holy Magnolian Order: you will be purged, and your families will be exterminated. If you care for them then confess now and face the consequences. Through death you may be redeemed of your sins."
The suspected Albas started to beg desperately, crying hysterically or praying to their pageant deities feverishly.
"Do not waste your tainted breaths by pleading for mercy. I have found you all guilty and therefore warrant your immediate death sentences. Your families will join you shortly after." He nodded at the stormtroopers and stoically watched as they lined up behind the Albas.
On command, the Tempestus Scions unsheathed their combat daggers and slit their throats, letting them drown and suffocate in their own pools of blood. Shortly after, two stormtroopers armed with flamers incinerated their flailing and thrashing corpses, reducing them into mere charred carcasses.
The other Republic soldiers watched the public execution with horror and shock, a few couldn't stomach the stench of burning corpses and collapsed to their hands and knees, emptying their stomach.
"Battalion! Dismiss!" The Commissar bellowed sternly, prompting the local soldiers to eagerly break formation and escape the execution sight.
Lena held down the mounting bile that urged her to vomit. The stench of the smoking corpses was pungent and horribly stayed deep in her psyche. She pushed through the public bathroom's door and lunged at the nearest and open toilet cabinet.
She leaned against the sink, splashing cold water over her face. She knew that the Imperium would be brutal and merciless, but she didn't expect them to be this ruthless and inhumane. She breathed heavily, feeling her guts twisting uncomfortably. That was the first time she saw someone getting slit open. There was so much blood in such a few seconds. The panicked eyes of these people as they choked on their blood, their fear-stricken faces will forever haunt her.
Just how far has Humanity gone to be this merciless, fanatical and monstrous?
She shook her head. She remembered the tales from Captain Parris and Commissar Darius. They were forced to be like this. Humanity is fighting for its very right to exist in a dark and ruthless galaxy. There was no room for mercy or tolerance. There is only war.
Once out of the bathroom, she began to make her way to-
"Major Milizé." She jumped in fright and whirled around, a hand clamping on her rapidly beating heart. Interrogator Haveloch stood upright, his head tilted slightly to the side. "Is something wrong, Major?"
"Uh… n-no… just feeling a bit lightheaded… the… um," She fumbled frantically.
"Was it because of the stench?" He asked curiously.
"W-what?"
"Yes, I've been told that most Albas are not used to seeing corpses or the stench." He explained plainly, "I sincerely apologize but I'm afraid to ask of you to stomach it… there will be more, and it isn't fitting of an officer of your stature to show weakness, Major."
"G-got it… I'll keep that in mind, Interrogator…"
He nodded curtly and walked past her only to stop midtrack. He turned around, the red eyes staring hauntingly at her. "You have nothing to worry about yourself, Major."
"E-excuse me?"
"I don't doubt your loyalty to the Imperium, you can thank Commissar Darius and Colonel Frazyer to vouch for you. However, I highly suggest that you look after Margaret, Major. She may not know it yet but she's frequenting dangerous individuals in her line of work." He then walked away, leaving Lena in a baffled and paranoid state.
How did he know her mother's name? How did he know where and who she works with? Was she being stalked by the Imperial Guard? Or are they keeping watch on her and her mother because they knew she would be a prime target for the Patriotic Knights?
She doesn't know and suddenly felt like a pair of eyes was watching her every move. She hastily made her way to her Handler station, there at least she would be alone and concealed from prying eyes.
Liberté Et Égalité, Republic of San Magnolia, September 10th SY 2148
Major Milizé waited patiently for the pedestrian light to turn green. The civilians that surrounded her noticed the Prussian-Blue uniform of the Armed Forces and quickly and quietly took their distances from her. Since her timely intervention of General Farestein's sudden assassination attempt, she quickly became a prominent figure of the pro-Imperium faction. They regarded her with apprehension and disdain, blaming her for drafting their sons and daughters to war. She has gotten used to the silent glares and disapproval murmurs. She didn't care, she was doing her duty and will do everything to correct the sins of her own people.
Her eyes perked up when a Taurox rolled by her, a Guardswoman was manning the pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber. The armoured personnel carrier towered over the by-standers, casting a dominant shadow.
"Goddamn pigs in people's clothing," She heard a man sneer with disgust and hatred. "Stealing our children to die for them!" He spat at the street.
"Eat shit, you tyrant pigs!" Another civilian yelled before throwing a rock at the gunner.
The Guardswoman deftly caught the projectile and hurled it back with terrifying, pinpoint accuracy. The rock hit the man in the face, he collapsed with a pained cry as he bled profusely from the deep gash.
"Monsters!"
"Pigs!"
"You don't belong here!"
More and more pedestrians were riled up and threw insults at the passing Taurox. The gunner smiled wryly and flipped the bird back at them. The light turned green, but no one moved, too preoccupied with targeting the Imperial Guard patrol with their empty threats and insults.
Lena shook her head in disbelief and crossed the street, disregarding the hostile glares she received for the umpteenth time. The usual morning reports from the digital billboards given by spokeswoman Primevére were replaced with military recruitment ads and the occasional litanies of the Imperial Cult. The air in the city was thick with tension as the Alba defiantly and openly protested the Imperium's rule. However, the Imperial Guard was swift to respond, routinely conducting raids on suspected locations and apprehending any sympathisers of the Holy San Magnolian Order.
A couple of minutes later, she reached Palace Blancneige. She made her way through the entrance hall where there was an increased presence of Cadian Shock troopers and Imperial Navy personnel. The Servo-Skulls floating around have become a common sight for her, so were the Servitors and few Techpriests wandering in the hallways.
Much to her dismay, the Guardsmen that passed by her would respectfully salute her or greet her with a nod while her fellow Alba officers and soldiers would give her the cold shoulder. She was truly a traitor in their eyes. A traitor that was willing to stand up against its corrupt and coward government and ready to sacrifice her people to the Imperium of Man.
She entered her Handler station and gasped when she spotted a dark red folder on her desk with the Republic's coat of arms on it and a small note written "confirmed". She briskly snatched the folder with a deep frown and quickly made her way to her uncle's office.
"What the hell is this?" She asked incredulously as she barged in his office without even knocking or waiting for his permission.
Brigadier-General Karlstahl wasn't alone at that moment; two other junior officers were standing at parade rest by his desk and stared confusedly at her.
"What is it this time?" Karlstahl asked plainly, signing a document and handed it back to one of the officers.
Lena unceremoniously threw the red folder at his desk, completely disregarding the two other officers, "I formally refuse to carry out this suicide mission." She stated fiercely.
"Uh… sir?" One of them asked unsurely.
Karlstahl silently shooed them with a hand gesture. Once they left, he heaved out a sigh. "Need I to remind you to not get too involved with the Eighty-Six?"
"And need I to remind you that the Republic isn't in command anymore?" She retorted aggressively.
"I am merely following the chain of command, Major Milizé." He explained stoically, levelling his cold eyes with her fiery passionate ones.
"Oh, so now you care about the chain of command. Whatever happened to the "incompetent and spineless idiots" thrown to your fellow generals that you so love to complain about, general?"
"Because the Eighty-Six are to be wiped out."
"What?"
"Changes are being made by the Imperium, that is true, but nothing said about stopping the deployment of the Eighty-Six and following the will of the people… that is the loophole they have found, and they'll continue to use whatever cracks they can get to exterminate the Eighty-Six."
"Can't you do something about it? Are you really going to waste this opportunity to redeem our country just because of protocols?"
He stood up and turned around, staring out the window of his office where a platoon of recruits was conducting physical training.
"Imperium or not, the Eighty-Six are still dangerous to us. If at the end of this war, the things we've done to the Eighty-Six became public knowledge, the Republic would become an international pariah, our place in history would be forever marred. Our people would only be known as oppressors." He explained drily. "It is better to play the victims under the Imperium..."
"So, our national ego is the reason why we deny them to recover or bury their dead? Or even basic human rights?!"
"When the last of the Eighty-Six are wiped out, their memory will be gone, only a handful will know the truth," He continued monotonously. "Or better yet, they'll be remembered as heroes and martyrs by the Imperial Guard while we shut our mouths and go along their propaganda. It is our role as servicemen to enact the will of the people, Lena."
"The Eighty-Six are part of this Republic too, aren't they? So shouldn't the ideals of Saint Magnolia herself should be applied to them too?" She countered angrily. "And if they don't, how's this the will of the Republic?"
He sharply turned around with a withering glare, "It's a country run by fools and villains, Lena! The same sort who had Saint Magnolia executed, who sacrificed her on the altar of wealth and greed… what more can you expect out of them?!"
Lena stared at her uncle in disbelief and frustration. Has he fallen too far down the rabbit hole of corruption and cowardice?
"Mankind was not ready to have freedom and equality, Lena. And I personally don't think that we're ever going to be ready. The Imperium's proof of that anyways so what more are you hoping?"
"You're wrong!" She shot back fiercely, "I've seen the Guardsmen that patrolled these streets. They are all Cadians, men and women, with different ethnic colours. They all fight under the same banner, a whole planet! And there are millions of worlds just like them, with a vast variety of cultures and ethnic groups. They may be brutal and unforgiving, but they are more tolerant than us! They could've easily wiped us all, the Eighty-Six included, yet they've welcomed them and fought valiantly beside them, most of them on foot!" She defiantly stood in front of him, eyes glaring at him, "Humanity as we know it, under the flag of the Imperium, is fighting a desperate war for survival against horrors and threats far more dangerous than the Legion. Circumstances beyond their control forced them to be merciless and draconian yet, they show more the true valour of Humanity than the Republic and we should be ashamed of that! Sending the Eighty-Six to their deaths out of national pride is nothing but an empty excuse to hide your incompetence and despair."
"You are welcomed to preach about your ideals and hopes as long as you want but you're not about to persuade anyone," Karlstahl replied coldly, "That is why you came to me, is not?" He walked towards his office's door, "Hope and despair are one in the same. You want something you can't have. They're two names, two sides of the same coin…" He pulled open the wooden door, "Now leave and follow your orders… as the Emperor demands."
"I'm sorry, Major, but I can't do anything about that." Colonel Jeremiah answered frankly.
To her dismay, even the Cadian officer couldn't change the Special Reconnaissance mission.
"It's no use to have the Commissar involved since there's a risk he might see this as cowardice and you might get shot for that," He explained bluntly.
"Is it perhaps possible to communicate this with the general, sir?" Lena asked, hoping for one last chance.
The colonel closed the folder and shook his head, "I'm afraid not. The general's busy with an upcoming operation. We're currently shifting our units and spreading out on multiple missions, establishing forward bases with other Eighty-Six squadrons, training the recruits and preparing to contact another nation." He informed her, "As you can tell, we will be the Republic's first and only line of defence for some time before we can finally deploy the PDF regiments to the frontline." He handed the folder back to her with a thin, apologetic smile, "Have faith in the Emperor, Major. He is counting on you to hold the line."
She stared emptily at the white ceiling of her Handler station, disheartened by the circumstances forced on her and her squadron. Despite the arrival of the Imperial Guard, she couldn't change the fate of her squadron, only extending their time on Earth. Her mouth stirred and her vision blurred. She sighed heavily and wiped the crestfallen tears away.
She felt her Para-Raid resonate all of a sudden.
"Major?" Came Shin's calm voice, stirring her from her emotional roller-coaster. "Am I interrupting something?"
Lena sniffed quietly and smiled, faltered by his consideration, "No… why do you ask?"
"Your voice sounds… different. Are you upset?"
A light blush crept on her cheeks, "I'm just… tired, Captain Nouzen. Is there an incoming Legion attack?" She asked stoically, switching her mind to her professional mode.
"Negative, Major. It is about the new orders we've received." He replied plainly.
"Ah… I'm so sorry, I tried everything, really… this isn't fair…"
"It's alright, Major. At least we've warned you before the bomb dropped…" There was a small pause before he continued with a softer voice, "Don't blame yourself. You're not the one sending us to the Special Reconnaissance Mission,"
"But you're still under my command. I'm still responsible of your lives… and what about our promise?"
"It's alright, Major… as long as you remember us, that's all we can hope for."
"I'm going to get you guys out of there alive. One way or another… so, please... wait for me and fight until then."
Republic of San Magnolia's Eastern Front, First Ward, September 26th SY 2148
The last remaining Eighty-Six of Spearhead Squadron watched stoically as the Cadians carried the body bag of Haruto Keats, Personal Name: Falke. Their numbers have been greatly reduced to five members, all Name Bearers, veterans and a pain to the Republic. In two days, the squadron will deploy in a "Special Reconnaissance Mission" which was only a disguise to send veteran Eighty-Six to their death with limited supplies and with zero support. The Cadians didn't know that part and Shin didn't want them to know.
The Guardsmen that have fought bravely with them were all grown attached to them, willing to sacrifice their own to rescue them. But that only made the Eighty-Six feel like they were holding them back. The Cadians and the Kriegers have proven them that they weren't a necessity in their fight against the Legion; they have the numbers, weapons and tanks to steam roll through the enemy. And now with the Republic's citizens conscripted in their ranks, it'll only bolster their fighting capacity, a few more dead Eighty-Six won't change much.
The only regret Shin and his comrades might have been they won't be able to stay alive long enough to see their world free of the Legion, to witness Humanity flourish and prosper, to watch the other nations rise and join the Imperium in the fight for Mankind. No, the pilots of Spearhead will just be among untold millions that have perished meaninglessly, laid to rot on the battlefield and forgotten with the passing of time. They were livestock with no rights of a proper burial.
Captain Lenck sighed heavily and turned to the five Processors, head hung low, "I'm sorry for your lost. I'm sure the Emperor weeps for his death and will greet him to the Eternal Gates." She stated solemnly and returned to her duties.
The Imperial Guardsmen continued with their work, leaving the Eighty-Six alone in their own space.
"Do… do you guys think she meant that?" Theo asked curiously, staring emptily at the asphalt street.
"I think they all believe that," Raiden replied in a serious, "With what they must have faced before coming here, I'm sure that's their only source of hope, their only reason to fight. Our world sucks, sure, but there are far more and worst threats out there waiting for us, I'm sure of it."
"They have their job, and we have ours," Anju added.
"Yeah, let's not disappoint them and finish what we started," Kurena chimed in with determination. "Right, Shin?"
Shin remained silent, gazing blandly at the Chimera that transported Haruto's corpse. Despite having the Imperial Guard and a caring Handler, their losses were staggering. In less than a year, they have been reduced to just five Processors; they survived thanks to their combat skills, sheer will and luck. But none of it mattered in the end, Death was their final destination and It will claim their souls whether they are ready or not. They've mocked Death long enough and now they were about to march straight to It.
"Shin?" Raiden's curious voice stirred him out of his trance, and he glanced back.
"Yeah, it's about time we find my brother and put him to rest." He replied with a small, wicked smile.
They all grinned back. If they were truly to die in a few days, they'll do so by staring defiantly at Death and take out as many of the Legion as possible; to go out with a bang and a humble bow before the closing curtains of life. That's their pride, their reason to live… their final destination.
Palace Blancneige, Republic of San Magnolia, September 27th SY 2148.
The recruits stood rigidly at attention; their rifles slung behind their right shoulder. The Alba soldiers of the Republic's new combat brigades have just finished basic training and will receive their oath to the Imperium. Compared to the Imperial Guard, they wore archaic equipment; their ballistic helmets were made of multiple thin layers of Kevlar, protecting the wearer from shrapnel and pistol calibres. Their standard issued body armour was made from woven ballistic fibres and two pockets that allowed them to carry ceramic Kevlar plates, one at the front and one on the back. Their usual Prussian-blue ceremonial uniforms were replaced with obsolete and older, desert pattern battle dress uniforms, though ill adapted to the plains and valleys of the Republic, it was more practical.
Finally, the RMI FAL, chambered in 7.62x51mm cartridge, would be their standard rifle; bulky, kicks like a mule and low magazine capacity, the only upsides were its accuracy and stopping power; just enough to punch an Ameise's hull.
Commissar Darius stood straightly; his hands clasped behind his back. He stared frostily at the battalion of Alba recruits. Training them has been a mental challenge for him and his platoon of drill instructors; there were many accidental and punitive deaths during basic training. For Darius, these recruits weren't ready to face the Legion, even less so the other horrors that await them beyond their small planet. He was not proud of them, nor did he trust them to face the enemy head-on, but it didn't matter for the General; he just needed more bodies to halt the Legion while the professionals do the real work. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, his mere presence casting a draconian aura over the soldiers.
"Soldiers of the First San Magnolian Infantry Regiment!" His booming voice reached the attentive ears of the Albas. "Tomorrow, you'll be the first among millions to be deployed to the frontlines and retake your lost territories in the name of the Emperor and the Imperium! You've trained hard but only real combat experience will pull you through the meat grinder. There will be casualties but do not falter in the face of the enemy and have faith in your commanders and the Holy Emperor, for He watches over you. Strike true and strike with precision. Fight till your last drop of blood and die standing. This is what it means to be part of the Imperial Guard! To hold the line and die standing!"
"Do your duty and fight with valour and zeal, and you may earn the honour of being an Imperial Guardsman. Glory to the Imperium! For the Emperor!"
"For the Emperor! For the Emperor!" They cheered devotedly.
Admiral Ravenkin watched quietly from her office's balcony, shaking her head with a mocking grin. They won't survive long enough in the battlefield, she thought, they'll falter and abandon their own country to save their skin.
Her vox earpiece pinged eagerly, having received a message notification from Cadia's Requiem. She picked up her dataslate and nodded in satisfaction.
++Reinforcement inquiry status: approved – Deployment of Adeptus Astra Telepathica personnel – Be advised: sanctioned psykers aboard, commissar required – Status: acquired: Commissar Melissandra Rayne ++
"Time to test my theory…"
Author's Note: Salut! Just a heads-up that I'll be on hiatus for a couple of months now, it's official, so don't expect any updates. Don't hesitate to leave a review, it always helps to improve or simply boost morale. As always, à la prochaine... and Cadia Stands!