The day had passed uneventfully on the walls of the Capital of Gallia, Randgriz. The local garrison stationed within the capital itself and the Royal Guard members deployed on the walls found it prudent to stay awake. The Regular Garrison, however, just found themselves asleep. The walls stood high and mighty, watched over by more than three thousand men and women... Among these men and women, there was the commander of one of the Divisions stationed near by Randgriz. Fresh from the deployment to the Central Front in Gallia, a tall, bulky man with smooth black hair and eyes, sat in Tower 07, his eyes peering through a pair of binoculars toward one of the many roads that led into Randgriz.
The 45-year-old veteran had the pins of a Brigadier General on his shoulders and collar. On his hip were twin Gallian-made Pistols in leather holsters, a pair of cutlasses and a white broadsword. Multiple medals adorned his chest, earned in the four grueling years of the First Europan War. His stern, fatherly gaze gave the vibe of a General who had seen and fought through much... And the scar on his cheek, one from a Bayonet, was enough to prove his worth to some...
But the rumbling engines made even Brigadier General Matthew Siegfried freeze. His binocular-aided gaze swept over the Battlefield and locked onto a Convoy of vehicles. They were filled to the brim and occupied from top to bottom by what looked like Infantry clad in dirty emerald armor and camouflage fatigues. As he zoomed in, he noticed that among their convoy of armored vehicles were Civilian transports and even a Gallian tank which he recognized...
The Walking mechanical vehicles moving beside it, however, were a frightening sight still...
... But something began to drown the sound of engines. The chant sent shivers down the spines of soldiers... And the General felt his heart sink as he saw the soldiers marching next to the vehicles, smiles on their faces as they sang, drums thundering slowly in cadence... "Si Vis Pacem Parabellum! Dolcem Bellum Inexpertis! Cassus Belli! HEY! IMPERATOR VULT! HEY! INTER ARMA! HEY! SILENT LEGES! HEY! Bellum Omnium Contra omnes! Bellum Omnium Calculo Est! Lus ad Bello! Lus ad Belli! Bella Gloria! Tu modo es Vita Nostra!"
The chant repeated as the soldiers approached and more of their vehicles appeared from the treeline. The man looked to the Tower Guard and ordered "Don't fire! I need to go talk to them!" before noticing that they allowed the Civilians forward... Siegfried hummed, then said "Open the gates to the civilians and our tank. Warn me if there's any shift below..."
And with that, William stepped off, quickly descending the battlements. He was met by a platoon of around 60 Wall Garrison members... He turned his head toward the massive gate as it propped open, its chains groaning under the strain. The door soon slid open and the Convoy of Gallian vehicles poured in. Meanwhile, the green-clad Troops stood outside, face-to-face with them... William went bug-eyed as he saw them...
Children...
Young children... Younger than even the Militia's youngest. They continued to chant proudly. A choir of young voices sounding like a marching band of battle-hardened veterans. The fact that the weapons on their backs had Bayonets affixed was even more disconcerting. But they didn't advance beyond the gates, so that must've counted for something. The armored vehicles lined up around and outside the gate, but their gun barrels were covered and not aimed at them...
The sea of green armor and the forest of bayonets parted as soldiers turned and stepped back, leaving space enough for one person to step through and allowing a group of four soldiers wearing more decorated armors and clothes to advance single-file. The man leading the platoon was young, unscarred, but his lilac eyes gazed forward with the look of a veteran. He was wearing armor all over his body and a cape on his shoulder, but he had no helmet, instead opting for a backpack and headset with communication items. On his belt were clipped a pistol and sheathed sword.
Following him was a girl wearing way heavier armor and hauling a gun that linked to her backpack via hoses... He dreaded what that weapon could do and was thankful it was holstered. She was a beautiful, youthful girl, bearing a grin of confidence as she sang along with their soldiers. Following her was a young, stern-looking young Officer with a gaze and expression of steel. He wore a long overcoat and peaked cap with a skull with wings emblazoned at the front. Finally, following them, was a taller man with a Tanker outfit. Less armor and more cloth.
"Soldiers! Hold!" The boy in the front of the row barked. The army's chanting ceased promptly and the Siegfried noticed that the emblems on the boy's collar were akin to those of a Colonel. He approached the General while his fellow officers held back, then extended his hand. As calm as William seemed to them, the fact that an army of what could well be thousands just showed up at their doorstep marched all the way here to get Civilians from god-knew-where was awe-inspiring. And frightening.
"Greetings. I'm Colonel Matias Telos, of the First Cadian Youth Regiment of the Imperial Guard... And no, we aren't part of the same kin as the traitors of the East." The soldier simply stated... William gripped his hand and shook it, giving a nod... The kid was younger than his own son, yet here he was, holding the rank of Colonel and commanding thousands of souls and hundreds of vehicles.
"A pleasure... Colonel..." The General nodded "My name's Brigadier General William Siegfried and... What else can I say besides welcome to Gallia and thank you for concerning yourselves to the safety of our civilians."
"No man, woman or child'll come under harm from traitors and pretenders where the Guard marches, Brigadier General." Matt spoke calmly. "We've made sure of that."
"Forgive me for being so brash, colonel, but I believe you've come to Randgriz for a reason?" William returned, noticing the Colonel shift his attention toward the Royal Palace. With a hum of agreement, the Colonel took a step through the gates of Randgriz and calmly looked over the Garrison Unit that'd come to greet them. They stared back, unsure of what he wanted...
Turning left to face the General again, the Colonel said with a simple smile on his face "We're here to speak terms for an alliance between us and your people."
... Beside going wide-eyed, Will had to take a moment to register what the young man before him had just uttered. They were offering to fight alongside them? "Why?"
"Simple, General." Matt uttered again, crossing his arms, but the smile remaining "They shot civilians in front of my men, they engaged my men in combat without even listening to what they had to say and tried to kill them. And their leaders fancy themselves pretenders to this world and all that is on it, human or material. What they did through these blasphemies was bring the wrath of the Emperor's Hammer down upon them and we would be glad to help deliver the killing blow to these bastards in His name."
The smile that he had while delivering that line shook William to the core... He took a moment to regard the boy, before asking "... What exactly are you and your people, Colonel?"
And without even flinching, the soldier answered "Cadians. Imperial Guard... The Hammer of the God-Emperor of Mankind." a pride in his voice that echoed among the men and women of his Regiment. Turning his head, the General saw the soldiers proudly standing at attention. The Colonel continued solemnly "Our people have stood for ten millennia against the darkest foes our life could muster against us. For ten millennia we've held them back... And even with our home broken, we will hold the foes of Man back time and again, be it on this world or any other... And only in Death will our duty end."
"HOOAH!" The Cadians cried proudly.
"So..." He locked eyes with the General "Shall we go meet your leaders?"
His mouth opened to speak, but... The scream "SIEGFRIED, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" stopped him... The gruff voice made Matias double over and cock his head to greet... An incoming fat, short man with black hair, a sharp beard and the look of the most moronic officer ever. As he stomped forward, his incessant screaming was the only thing Matt could hear. "I THOUGHT I ORDERED THAT NOBODY APPROACHES RANDGRIZ'S WALLS WITHOUT MY EXPRESS CONSENT! WHAT CAN'T YOU GET THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL!?"
... Matias favored to tune the fat man out, before sighing and asking "General Siegfried, please tell me you're commander-in-chief of the Gallian Military and not this..." He tilted his head with a sickly gaze to the tube of lard and finished "Thing..." while trying not to retch. General Siegfried shook his head, stifling a chuckle. If Matt had actually bothered to listen to the ranting man, now probably screaming at him and berating him... Slowly turning his gaze to meet that of what seemed to be the Cardboard General of Gallia, his glare seemed to pierce the man's soul hard enough that he stuttered shut up...
... It was either that, or the fact Matt had brandished his Power Sword and put the sharpened blade next to the man's throat. It wasn't active, of course... If it had been, he would probably have burned a little of that Neckbeard the thing before him had bothered to grow... With ice etched into every word, the Colonel spoke "I was addressing the Brigadier General, not you, whelp. So if you'd be so kind as to stay out of the discourse of grown men, I'd find it worthwhile not to have my Commissar shoot you where you stand. We're here to make a deal..."
Gritting his teeth, his gloved fists clenching, the man barked in a breaking voice "H-HOW DARE YOU, YOU PETULANT CHILD! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I A-" Before squealing in fear as the blade thrummed to life, electricity arching off the tip and burning hairs... The Colonel turned fully toward the man, revealing the battle-scarred Carapace Armor he wore, including the rank pins, before speaking bluntly "I would suggest you hold your tongue before I remove it for you..." and he noticed the rank of General pinned to the man's frilly uniform. Matt pursed his lips as he watched the coward trip and fall onto his fat ass... Several of the Wall Garrison stifled laughs or tried not to smile, as did Siegfried...
Amy was laughing, though. Heartily... Hell, even Colin hid a smile behind his hand...
"I have nor the time, nor the desire to care for or learn whom you may be. If I did, I dread my migraine, which appeared thanks to the sheer incompetence you emanate, mind you, would intensify a thousand-fold." Matt hammered his point across with every word. "I am here to talk to your Government leaders, not with an uppity manchild like you, who has clearly never tasted combat just from demeanor alone... You are probably some local nobleman whose rank was given to him due to nepotism... So talk to me only when you bear a scar like General Siegfried's."
And with that, he stowed his blade and said "Command Squad, follow me! We march with the Brigadier General... Communicate to the rest of the Regiment to hold on tight outside the gates!"
The others followed him, with General Siegfried taking front and ignoring Damon's annoyed calls for him... In the end, the Gallian Cardboard General decided to follow behind. As the group marched forward, Colin felt the need to whisper to Matias "Well done. I had half the mind of intervening myself... But I am glad my bolt pistol was not required for this one."
Matt snorted, then whispered back "We're not here to cause a bigger scene by executing one of theirs, Colin."
"Indeed." The Commissar nodded. As the group passed through the boulevards, the people of Gallia eyed the Cadians wearily. It seemed they weren't yet welcome... Alas, Matias had elected to keep his gaze locked forward. Progress would drive the people's view of the True Imperials and of the Guard itself. And progress always starts by looking forward and maintaining a brisk marching pace while walking forward, as his mother used to say.
The group marched then onto a set of stairs that led up to a decorated palace with a teal spiral motif on its towers and some of its architecture. Under watch from the Royal Guard, the group stepped inside, into the azure halls. Decorations, old paintings and furniture and even sets of armor bearing Gallian crests of Old lined the walls and pillars and many doors lay between, evenly lined up and facing each-other. Royal Guard turned and brought their hands up in salute as Generals Siegfried and Damon passed by with their guests in tow.
And as two guards pushed open the door, the group found themselves walking into the Throne Room. A large hall with an open blue marble floor and columns holding up balconies. Light penetrated through the many stained glass arch-windows above. And seated on a throne was a blue-eyed woman dressed in a fluffy dress and with a strange hat on her head. She was under guard of a young woman with short brown hair and deep blue eyes stared at them. She was wearing a Royal Guard Captain's uniform, that had the patch of a Dragon on the left breast pocket. A multitude of weapons resided on her person, among which a Carbine-type Auto-Gun and a Rapier... She seemed to smile upon noticing General Siegfried...
William nodded, then turned to the woman, who held a scepter and sat on the throne, and spoke "Your Highness... A pleasure to see you again."
"The pleasure is all mine, General Siegfried." The lady smiled, then turned to the Colonel "And whom might these soldiers be?"
William looked to the Colonel as he took a step forward, placed a clenched fist upon the left of his chest and gave a respectful nod and spoke calmly "I am Colonel Matias Telos, of the Cadian First Youth Regiment, Imperial Guard, madame. Behind me resides my Officer Cadre." motioning to the other Guardsmen and the Commissar present in the room. "We aren't of the same kin as the East Imperials, before you inquire... Our troops have been engaged by them."
"Welcome to Gallia." The Princess said warmly, standing up from her throne. She walked down the stairs from the throne and met the Colonel. She was shorter than him. Short enough that the Colonel had to gaze down at her. The battle-damaged suit of Carapace armor shined a dark shine in contrast to the blue of her dress. She extended her right hand, gripping the strange spiral lance scepter with her left. The Colonel shook it...
For all it was worth, it seemed as if the Princess spoke to him as an equal. A rarity nowadays, the Colonel thought. "I am pleasantly surprised, Princess... I'd half have thought I'd meet some local Lord with little regard for guests, much more so ones that come to offer help in your war."
"I am unlike many of the Royal Families present in Gallia... I am to be crowned Archduchess after all, Colonel." The young woman nodded "And believe me, I will openly welcome any help against the Imperials and ways to end the suffering of my people quicker." and the Colonel gave a smile. Commendable young woman. She was smart, quick with her wits and seemed calm, even facing an armored man like him.
"Shall we proceed to discuss the alliance?" The Colonel hummed.
"Folow me, please. My regent, Prime Minister Borg is awaiting in the conference room..." Cordelia motioned to a door on the left.
As they walked, the Colonel looked to both generals of the Gallian Military walking beside them, surprised. Must've been a rare occurrence indeed to have Noble Families talk to the common Soldiery, even to a Colonel and his Majors, like they were on equal footing. Entering the well-lit room, the group sat down at a large conference table. Matt saw a blonde man with a wig and facial hair similar to Damon's, as well as a skirt of sorts?
After a short greeting, the groups sat down face-to-face, with the Princess on the Colonel's right, at the head of the table and her Regent, Borg, seated to her right, on the opposite side of the table.
"Greetings." The Colonel spoke first, standing up. "I wish to cut straight to the chase, else I fear my men may get a little too rowdy."
"Understandable, Colonel." Borg spoke calmly. "I wish to ask where you are from, though."
The Colonel hummed "It's a long-winded explanation. One I doubt you'd believe unless you had witnesses to confirm it."
"Your gear tells me you aren't from around the bend, Colonel. Definitely not anywhere near us... Are you Vinn troops?" General Siegfried asked "Perhaps got lost on a Transport?"
"Vinn?" Colin's brow quirked up. "We're afraid that isn't the case, whatever country that may be. I doubt it's got access to our technology."
"And if it does it's... Probably worth looking into." Matt completed. "Anyways... We are from the planet of Cadia, in the Segmentum Obscurus' Cadian Sector. We are not from your world, most definitely. And our technology, such as Las-Guns, Plasma, the Baneblade and the Sentinels should tell you as such. Before you come and say we're lying or that it is impossible to come from any other world than here, trust us... Our ancestors have heard those exact words many times."
Surprise was evident in the eyes of the four Gallian Government and Military members present. The Princess, however, seemed excited... But Borg was reticent. He leaned forward and asked "Could you provide a demonstration of your technology, Colonel?"
... Without even flinching, Matt eyed a section of wall that was under repair, drew his Las Pistol and said "If you'll forgive me doing this..." before squeezing the trigger. The scarlet lance of energy melted part of the wall paneling. The wound left by the shot had also drilled into a line of electrical wiring, fusing the materials together... Hopefully, he didn't damage anything important...
Wide eyes were prevalent as the Colonel holstered his sidearm. He hummed, then explained "That was a Las, or, I guess in current terms, laser pistol. It fires a focused beam of energy out of the muzzle at the speed of light and it's able to reach its target quite easily, through any material, as you can see. So unless our foes decide to forego proper armor to wear mirrors..." He smirked "I doubt they'll be able to take a direct shot from the bigger variations."
"Do all your people wield these weapons, Colonel?" Borg seemed intrigued now.
"The entire Regiment is armed with standard Las-Rifles and Carbines, but we have projectile weapons, such as Shotguns, Bolters and Autocannons too. Our tanks still fire mostly armor-piercing shells and high-explosives, still..." He coughed, reminding himself they had Eradicators and multiple heavy Las-Cannons mounted onto other Russes. As well as the Tank Destroyers...
"If you don't mind me interjecting, Colonel... What happened to your people that made you leave Cadia?" Siegfried asked... And it seemed he hit a nerve. The gazes of the officers steeled... They hadn't left, had they? Not willingly anyways... Will pursed his lips and turned over to Borg, who hummed, hands folded together on the table, before he waved on...
"You want to know the story?" Matt hummed, a sullen look on his young face... "Very well..."
Flashback to Cadia. The Final Hours of the 13th Black Crusade
Thirteen Cadian Regiments held the Elysion Fields as the Great Titans of the Adeptus Mechanicus towered overhead. The thundering steps of the War Machines were only deafened by the thunder of their guns and the enemy's return fire. A Volcano Cannon bellowed and thrummed as its beam of energy boiled parts of the fields to glass, gutting the Traitor Army of Abaddon the Despoiler and removing several Armored Vehicles...
The then-Major Telos held the First Line alongside the Commanders of the Cadian Gate. Above them, beside the Titans, the black pylons of the Elysion Fields towered, shimmering emerald. The Major looked to his subordinates and called out "ADVANCE! WE CANNOT LET THESE BASTARDS REACH ANY FARTHER INTO CADIA!" before moving out over the lip of the trench in the desert. He raised his Power Sword and called out "FORWARD! FOR THE EMPEROR!"
Following him, hundreds of Cadians called out "FOR THE EMPEROR!" as they jumped over the trenches. Opposing the Regiments were Chaos Cultists of every possible allegiance. They charged with Autoguns and Bayonets toward the Cadians, their weapons barking. The Lasguns returned the heat as the two Armies crashed in the midst of the desert fields... Matias's blade gutted the first bastard he came in contact with, before he raised his Las Pistol and shot two more.
Following him, then-Captain Amy raised her Hellgun and let loose, whispering to herself a prayer to the Emperor. Next to her, Colin's bolt pistol thundered and his blade cut Heretic flesh. The thunder of a cannon resounded and a dozen Cadian Tanks plunged into the horde of advancing flesh. Matt's blade and pistol cut down Heretic after Heretic. Marauder Bombers flew overhead and their payloads left the bays, striking behind the Chaos Lines with heated Promethium. Matt's blade crossed with a Cultist carrying a sacrificial knife. He spun, kicked and sliced the man's chest, before blasting him with the Las Pistol.
"Matt, stay close!" His elder sister and the current Colonel of the First Youth, Vivianna Telos spoke. She held more Krieger blood in her than him and it showed. With her curved blade and the strength in her arms, she lopped the heads off three Cultists in one Swoop, before raising her Plasma Pistol and squeezing off a shot that melted through the enemy it hit.
"I'm here, ma'am." The boy said, raising his Las Pistol and executing another heretic.
"Good. I've got a feeling we'll be seeing Chaos Marines soon..." Viv spoke calmly, before looking up. Heretic Aircraft swept in, their Guns thundering... The horn of a Titan sounded off overhead and a beam of energy cut down three of the fighters. The duet looked back to see an Imperator-Class Titan moving toward them. The giant walking Cathedral let loose with its Superheavy rotary bolter.
Explosions on the horizon meant the rounds hit...
But the heretical cries of Daemons and the thundering, heavy armored boots of the Arch-Traitor's Marines came. Swinging their axes, the monsters cut through Imperial Guardsmen as they came... And yet that wasn't the worst part. Matt saw something in the upper atmosphere... Something worrying. Turning his head, he froze as he saw a Berserker approaching him, its scarlet eyes peering from behind the helmet... It raised the Chain-Axe to strike him down... The boy gasped, crossing his arms in front of his face and holding the Power Sword at the ready...
But the strike never came for him... The sickening sound of sharpened metal teeth eviscerating armor and flesh came to him... He looked up, to see Viv felled by the blade, her body tumbling to the floor, a bloody mess... Eyes wide, the young Guardsman swallowed, staring at the lifeless corpse that once used to be the bravest person he knew alive... He growled, then turned to the Heretic, drawing his Power Sword and slashing at its exposed abdomen. He narrowly dodged a second axe strike, before stabbing into one of the arm joints, forcing it to drop the Ax. He then jumped and aimed for his head, setting the Laser Pistol to full power and crying out "DIE, HERETIC!" with tears welling in his eyes.
The shot lacerated the monster's eye and head, bursting through the armor plating in the back. The monstrosity collapsed to the floor with a wet thud... The boy growled, then looked around and fired again, emptying his Pack into another Heretic that approached... He then turned back and barked "MEDICAE! GET THE MEDICAE OVER HERE!" as he cut down more of them...
Yet, when the Shadow washed over them and he looked up, to see the husk of a star-shaped craft barreling toward them, all he could do was stare...
... The following thing he felt was darkness and a sense of dread... But then a golden light washed over him as he floated aimlessly... And despite his eyes closing, he felt hands grip him.
"... And that brings us to today, waking up in Gallia and... Our engagement with the East Imperials."
Horrified didn't begin to cover the looks around the table... At first, the Colonel thought they wouldn't believe him, so he was thankful that Colin had brought forth images of Cadia from orbit and other such items of interest. He'd kept those pict-graphs since he and Amy first arrived onto Cadia from the ruined Tanith. Truth was all that Matt had said to them.
The Colonel continued "I haven't come here to parade my military achievements. I haven't come here to threaten your people or you. I've come here out of necessity. Necessity of having a place to engage these Traitors from. So that another world doesn't suffer the fate of my birthplace and I and my Regiment can either live peacefully or fight on from here... I've come to ask for an alliance, food, water and a plot of land to set up a base and maintain as our own... In return, we will send these False Imperials from whence they came... And burn them there. The Emperor of Mankind watched over my Regiment, gave us a new hope of fighting and living... I am willing to take it, as are my men and women. We are here to prove to Him and Him alone one thing... The Planet Broke before the Guard did... And that we, the Spirit of Cadia, still stand strong!"
"So, my Gallian friends..." He eyed the people at the table "Do we have a deal?"
... The signed paper in his hand said as much... It had gone as hoped...