Stellon sat and listened to the tale the two women in front of him were relaying. It seemed a bit far fetched but for the individuals telling it. One, an Inquisitor, the first he had ever met. The second, Luces, a Sister of Battle, the same one who had made a mockery of the Novamarine's training simulation.
"Go on," he told them, leaning in.
"There was obviously gang involvement," the Sororitas said. "But they were very well equipped. More so than the usual, or so I am led to believe."
The Primarius knew of the strife and struggles for the underhive, but had never dealt with them directly. It was considered beneath the abilities of the Astartes to become involved in such low-level human affairs.
"And," the Inquisitor continued, a woman named Prasia. Prasia Von Stromm. "We believe there are forces from off-world that are agitating the masses."
Stellon shifted in his armour. This was a matter for his Sergeant, Grenaeus Castis, but as of yet, the man had not emerged from the latest round of testing of the new recruits.
"I see," the marine nodded. "Well, we thank you for letting us know."
It was clear that this was not the response the ladies were hoping for.
"Brother," the Sororitas pleaded. "This situation will only get worse. It will get worse and then get out of hand."
"Have you approached the Governor?" Stellon asked then.
That was the man to sort out an internal affair. Though, getting his attention on a matter depended on the day and his mood.
"We have not," Luces demurred. "We had hoped that–"
It was then that Grenaeus entered the small office the three of them were sitting at. At the sight of the Sister, the man stiffened, his unhelmeted head growing pale.
"What is she doing–" he began.
"Sergeant," Stellon interrupted, deflecting attention from Luces to the other woman present. "The Inquisitor has come, seeking our aid."
The woman rose and walked towards where Graenaeus was standing, still in shock.
"I am Prasia Von Stromm, of the house Von Stromm. I am of the Ordo Hereticus, servant of the Master of Mankind, He on the Throne, the Eternal Emperor of Humanity and his Glorious Imperium…"
The Sergeant's mouth dropped.
"And I am not asking for aid. I am demanding it."
Status: Active. Adept: Nesot Vakyon. Location: Iaxrak VI. Purpose: Memorandum. Security: Sigma 4H33. Destination: [REDACTED]
...
Xenos (Aeldari) presence on planet all but confirmed. As per information provided by Tech Marine Toraen Invicteas, atmospheric entry catalogued two cycles previous to this record.
NOTE: Based on study and last recorded craftword location, Aeldari most likely involved from Alaitoc, Biel-Tan, or Iyanden.
Current plan is to travel into wastes surrounding Hive Primus in order to conduct investigation. Suspected target of Xenos is southern hills, site of possible ancient temples and Tear of Morai-Heg.
NOTE: Tear of Morai-Heg refers to various gemstones, or fragments of, said to possess power to revive dead Aeldari.
If suspicions are confirmed, requesting Xenarite contingent sent to Iaxrak system for further exploration and possible artefact extraction.
NOTE: Novamarine presence and involvement may complicate/compromise desire for secrecy.
According to logs from Adeptus Arbites/Astra Militarium, Hive Primus currently experiencing low-level uprisings. Disruptions should be minimal, and may indeed aid in extrication.
NOTE: Possible allies on-world include Sororitas - Order: Valorous Heart; Rank: Elohiem; Name: Aspea, Luces.
NOTE: Xenos (Orks) scattered through wastes. Threat level: Minimal.
...
Aspecine and Augustus Bratoon picked at the meal in front of them and, in unison, began to laugh.
"What will I wear?" the woman asked, amused.
Both were feeling upbeat since the invitation had arrived.
"Whom shall I bring?" the man added, grinning.
Of course he would bring her. To be seen without his sister would be absurd.
"What a thing!" she giggled.
Neither of them could believe that, despite everything that was happening in the Hive, despite the almost daily clashes now between the Imperials and the so-called rebels, that Feronikka Von Stromm was really hosting a party.
"She's mad," Augustus smiled. "Which means it should be a good time."
Indeed, Aspecine nodded. She had been to the top of the Spire only once, during a celebration for the now dead Titus, and had marvelled over how lavish apartments were. In fact, she had snuck into the main bedroom while she was there, and had, for a brief moment, imagined what it would be like to live there.
To rule.
It would be even more impressive now, she imagined, with the sun out, flooding the room with a golden light.
"Do you think the Deacon will be there?" Aspecine asked, the thought dulling the shine of the event slightly.
"Probably," her brother replied. "He's always poking about."
Balphus Jaurvir was everywhere.
"We will get to meet the younger Von Stromm I supposed," Aspecine continued.
Both knew that Prasia was on Iaxrak VI, but they had not seen her, not since the woman had left this world all those years ago.
"I bet she has had work done," Augustus mused.
Aspecine knew that he had always had a bit of a thing for Prasia, but now that the woman was an Inquisitor, she imagined that his chances with her were near zero.
Not that they had ever been much higher.
"Rulf and Bitty will be there of course," her brother added, pushing his plate away. "I wonder if they will make a move."
They think themselves better than us, Aspecine spat. Sure, House Naxxis and House Qeenat were wealthier than the Bratoons, but they were old and out of touch.
"Our time will come, Sister," Augustus said, rising.
It will, she agreed. And she would look great when it did.
Newly assigned Commissar Iago Suryric looked out over the assembled 27th Reconnaissance Regiment of the Astra Militarum that was stationed in the wastes outside of Hive Primus on Iaxrak VI and shook his head.
"I have never seen such an unfit, unkept and undeserving mob of men in my whole life." he shouted through his vox caster.
To be fair, there were both men and women in front of him, crammed around a make-shift platform erected in the arid landscape, but he imagined they understood what he had meant.
"And as such," he continued, "it is my mission to bring this regiment in line with proper doctrine and decorum."
As a Commissar, a honoured member of the Officio Prefectus, it would be his job to ensure that these troops were ready to face whatever task they were put to. His predecessor had been cut in half by an Ork buzzsaw, and had been rumoured to be old, weak and too kind-hearted.
Things he was most assuredly not.
"To begin," he called out, his voice high and tight, "I will be conducting a review of each individual. It will be thorough."
At the Schola Progenium, Iago was taught that fear was the number one tool in a Commissar's kit. Fear and Pride. Pride in one's unit, regiment, division or army was paramount to keeping both the soldiers in line and keeping them moving forward in the face of a seemingly overwhelming enemy.
Though here, on this world, the only real threat was the greenskins, and while fierce, they were not insurmountable.
"Fall out by squad," he ordered, and soon, he had lines of men and women standing in neat rows, ready to undergo his examination and assessment.
Most of the soldiers he met then were uninspiring, simple folk who were useful enough to die for the Imperium, but little else. A few he discharged or sent for re-education in the program jointly run by the Officio Prefectus and the Adeptus Ministorum.
Then he met Nake Arkhan.
"Position?" Iago asked, at first not looking up at the man in front of him.
"Corporal, sir," the guard replied. "First Vox Operator for the 27th."
Ah, the Commissar thought. The voice of his people.
"And how long have you had this role?"
The man shifted from one foot to the other. Was this nerves, Iago wondered? Or something else…
"I have been assigned to the 27th for–"
Then a massive explosion tore apart one of the lines of soldiers not far from where the Commissar was standing.
"Orks!" someone called out.
More blasts followed. Then more. And then still more.
"Form firing line!" Iago shouted, his voice wavering slightly as a horde of Xenos crashed into view.
This would be his first real fight. And it was time to prove, to himself as well as his men, what he was worth. The problem, unknownst to him, was that the greenskin boss heading towards him felt the exact same way.