The thunder of boots was not something Isara got used to easily... Doubly so since the soldiers before her were all around her age. She knew her squad had 12-year-old Susie among their ranks. Yet the deep hum of the Cadians' marching hymns, the rattle of their worn gear and the steeled, veteran's faces each so-called 'Teenager' and 'Child' wore brought ease to her soul. She knew that as long as the Cadian Regiment drew breath, they'd be safe. The roaring engine of the Baneblade, its treads grinding the concrete below nearly to dust, however, were another story...
She watched Matias step up and out from the vehicle as it ground to a halt, with the hymns sung in that ancient language of theirs... High Gothic... By the battalion of infantry present, continuing at a lower volume as she watched the Cadian Battalions reform and ready themselves. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder and turned her head to see Matias. He nodded to her, holding her gaze. He smiled.
"Greetings, Isara." He nodded.
"Hello." She smiled back. "I take it you guys are following us into Kloden?"
"Yes, indeed. Captain Varrot was kind enough to share the information with us." Matt pulled his hand back. "We'll be assailing the bases one at a time. The Regiment will be deploying half its strength in vehicles and infantry to assist." He hummed, then turned his head toward the noise of hard metal thumps. Isara froze, watching as the squadron of two-legged war-machines moved forward. Bearing Aquilas on the front of their cabins and differing sets of heavy weapons, the Sentinel Scout Walkers of the Regiment strode forward, their commanders staring around out from their cupolas.
Matias gave the men a salute as they moved past and they returned it proudly.
"So..." he turned back to Isara. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay." The girl answered. "You?"
"Just fine." He noted. "Care to join me for a walk?"
"Sure."
The duet of young soldiers walked through the city-sized fortress together as more of the Cadian Regiment moved in to prepare their gear. Matt was a surprisingly decent officer for his age. He led his men well and he must've known a bit about the Art of War. It didn't spare Isara that the boy was pretty cute too, but she figured he was an officer. He seemed to be gazing around the place, examining the Fort itself again. He finally turned to her and she immediately worked to suppress a deep blush, both averting his gaze and turning away.
Matt had never been one for the intricacies of courtship. In fact, one could say he was about as dumb as a brick when it came to stuff like this. Going by where Isara's gaze went, though, she was just looking at where her squad's vehicle was stored. She was probably worried about it. He swallowed, then turned his head to look forward. He slowly started "Soooo... Gallia is a beautiful country. I never much expected to serve on such a lush world."
The girl turned back toward him responding "Yes. Gallia is... Well, it is my home, so I am kind of biased toward it, but it is one of the most beautiful countries around. And it's fairly wonderful to live in, provided you get as lucky as I did as a Darcsen."
"Hmm... I still dislike that whole ordeal regarding your people." The Colonel mused, looking to her.
"It's not been proven scientifically that it had actually happened, so there's still hope things may change over time for us..." She rubbed her arm "But it doesn't help that my people aren't openly fighting against discrimination."
"... An old Imperial proverb states that Heresy grows from Idleness, Isara." Matias added "In my eyes, your people do need help, but they also need to be able to fight for their own rights. You are still human. If the only difference between you and the rest of mankind here is style of dress and the color of your eyes and hair, then that is just physical and cultural. People can adapt."
"Oh, don't get me wrong. There are people that do fight for us, Darcsen and non-Darcsen alike, but they're few and far between." She smiled sadly. "You met a couple of them while we were in Kloden. Matthew Siegfried and Ragna belong to the Siegfried Noble House of Gallia. They're reformists with a better view over Darcsens than most other Noble Houses and on a polar opposite view to houses such as the Gassenarls."
"Ah, yes, I remember Sergeant Siegfried and his friend. An odd pair, to be certain." He nodded "But I've also met his father. And as they saying goes, the apple never falls far from the tree. It's good to hear that some do fight for your people, though. It means our job will be easier as we further enlighten your people to our own beliefs."
Isara pressed her lips, then said "What will you do if not many are as accepting of it as you hope?"
"I have Colin with me. He's been taught and has mastered the art of propaganda. He can preach the Imperial Faith too. Nowhere near as good as one of our missionaries, but he knows enough." Matt smiled. "Sweet-talking usually solves a lot of problems. But I can say with an honest heart what the Faith preaches is true. As legends tell, the Emperor came to us as a savior, dragged us out of centuries of self-destruction and rallied us to reach for the stars. He brought mankind from an incredible state of stagnation and death and built an Imperium that spans today's Galaxy... If only his own sons wouldn't have betrayed him." And he paused, then hummed and said "Uhm... Long story." as he looked to the confused girl. "I'd be happy to tell it to you some time."
"I'd love to hear more about your people's religion." She smiled.
By the Emperor's own kindness, she was cute. Matt tried to suppress a blush too and nearly failed, before a girl walked up to them. Long, violet hair draped over her shoulders and lilac eyes stared at both of them. In her hand, she held what looked like a book meant for recreation, a horror one at that. She had on her a shoal similar to Isara's own, with even the same color and markings, though longer. On her belt, visible through the side, was a bayonet and a set of throwing knives... Her eyes wide, the young woman quickly snapped a salute to the man, blushing, then said "Sir! A-Are you Colonel Telos?"
The man looked to Isara, then to the woman and saluted "Yes. At ease...? Do... Do I know you?"
"I... I am corporal Yuri, sir. Fresh join in the ranks of the Militia and from the Darcsen town that your forces protected, the one in the Diebal mountains... My mother was part of the defense while I kept my brother safe. As she and her mother before her, I had military training as per accordance to Gallia's own rules." She presented herself calmly. "I... I wished to thank you and your soldiers personally for the defense and... I... I wish to offer myself to join one of your squads, i-if... If possible."
She seemed shy and a bit uneasy, speaking to an offworlder... As was normal, to be fair... The soldier raised a brow, then crossed his arms and said "A pleasure to meet someone from the town Elaine helped defend... Forgive me, but I am going to be blunt and to the point with my questions. Why wouldn't you join a local Militia squad? And why would I allow anyone from the outside to join the ranks of my own?"
"S-Sir... Not many people have use for a Darcsen Fencer in their units... A-And almost all of the squads were full, s-so..." She was fiddling with a bit of her long hair as she spoke. "I thought that... Perhaps I could be allowed to join the First Youth as a volunteer? M-Maybe even a mediator to Darcsen everywhere. Many of our people are already spreading the news of the Cadians, protectors of our kin, so..."
"That answers one of my questions, corporal, but I must say. A mediator between us and the Darcsen could be of use. We are trying to establish ourselves as friends to your people..." He hummed. The Colonel spoke. He sadly had to admit to himself, most of that was out of spite for that Heretical belief of Yggdism. He wasn't even sure the Darcsen had a religion. He sighed, then continued "But again. I'm not sure my soldiers would welcome outsiders this quickly. I'll have a talk with all of them at a later date, but for now..." He and Isara tried to step aside, but Yuri followed.
"P-Please!" She begged, looking him in the eye. She turned to Isara and spoke "Y-You're Lieutenant Gunther's sister... Please, help me, I..."
"Why is it you want to join the Cadians exactly, Yuri?" Isara offered, more keen on listening than Matt. She shot him a glance that told him she had this. "I understand a desire to meet those who saved your people, but what else?"
"I wish to repay them in kind. As a Fencer, I fight very close quarters." She explained, revealing the blade under her shoal was a well-made shortsword. And her armor plating... Dear Emperor... "My weapons of choice are knives and swords and my body armor is much stronger than that of others, so I can take more bullets than most others. And the flak jacket I wear, I made myself, for the sake of blocking shrapnel from high-yield explosives... I, too, worked in the Ragnite mines, so I know how dangerous stone and metal shards travelling at high speeds can be."
"You are offering yourself to be a meat shield, Corporal?" Matt said, his face morphed into shock. "... I appreciate the braveness, but this borders on suicide, you know that, correct?"
"Yessir..." She nodded, still fiddling with her hair... She, however, held a more determined gaze by the second.
Matt watched the girl stare him down. She had guts, he had to admit, but someone who seemed so educated asking to go as the suicidal front-liner melee unit. He appreciated a good melee, but only on the odds that he had a chance of winning. He wasn't there to take bullets and nor were any of his soldiers... Although, war did have its risks... With a deep sigh that showed defeat, the boy looked to Yuri and spoke with a voice of steel "Corporal, you may be one of the bravest Gallians I've yet seen and that speaks volumes of how determined your people are. But I'm not looking for people with a death wish."
Yuri's gaze fell, her face turned gloomy and her shoulders sagged. "Oh..."
"However..." Matt smirked, looking to a stunned Isara, then back to Yuri. "I can appreciate anyone who knows the finer arts of wielding the blade in a melee. And your armor definitely looks survivable, sans the lack of a helmet. I do believe I have just the squad for you, though I should warn you, all 3 of them are... A little more than you'd expect out of a bunch of kids hell-bent on killing False Imperials."
The girl's eyes lit up. He handed her a paper-more specifically, a transfer order, then said calmly "You should find them near by the line of tanks just near the entryway. Welcome to the Regiment, Trooper... And remember, read your Scriptures and learn of the good word of the Emperor. Continue your studies and learn to work with those around you, even as they are. Every lonely spirit doubts their strength."
She slowly took the paper into her grip, then looked at it, smiled... And promptly gave Matt a salute. She dashed off toward the tanks, vanishing behind the sheds. Matt shook his head, then turned to Isara and said "Your people are asking to join us... I'm not sure if I should be joyous or worried, but I worry little. I've assigned her to a squad that should be one of our most welcoming... And lacking in members, dishearteningly."
"Oh?" Isara raised a brow.
"Yes, it's... Uh..." He paused, his eyes widening "Oh... I forgot that the leader is our only sanctioned Psyker... Throne, I hope she won't try to unexist the poor girl. That'd be a bad move... Then again, considering the corporal seemed keen on reading and our psyker does dabble in writing every so often, maybe they'll get along?"
"Uhm... Matt? Who is this squad made up of?" Isara asked, worried just by seeing the Colonel worried... What could be so bad? And what was a Psyker?
"... It's a squad formed of my closest childhood friend, her Psyker friend and a very... Eccentric girl. She's not exactly good with warming up quick to new people, but give her enough time and she will be." He rubbed the back of his neck "Misfits if I've ever seen them, but they're all fairly kind." And he pointed toward the vehicles, before stating "We should probably go ahead and ready up... We'll be stopping by Kasr Creed to pick up three Basilisks that were undergoing maintenance, then I will help make up a plan of action against the False Imperial supply bases as we go..."
"Fair." Isara nodded "I should probably go bring the Edelweiss out for that, then..." And she offered him another meek, red-cheeked smile "Be seeing you around?"
Matt nodded "Most certainly, Is." And he smiled back... God-Emperor please stahp. Too cute...
The man returned to the regiment, only to meet Colin halfway across, before asking "Is everyone prepared?" as his Commissar friend arranged his coat, holster and sword sheath. The Commissar nodded, then looked to him. Matt turned his gaze and wanted to ask what the issue was, before the paper was thrust into his hand. The one he gave Yuri. He pursed his lips...
... But Colin seemed calm. He spoke "A smart choice, Colonel... And a good PR move with the Darcsen. I will make sure to have a talk to the rest of the regiment about it, but for now, do not be surprised to hear some disgruntled voices." before noting "Be wary our Kasrkin commander may be giving tips to Saoirse about making new friends. Should I deal with that?"
"... I think we'll be fine for now, Colin." He smirked.
... And yet, he had prophetically not expected what would come next...
As he and Isara walked through in front of the trenches, casemates and bunkers of Kasr Creed, the young man was enumerating supplies... "... 7,92 Autogun drums?"
"Check." Isara noted, looking at the ticked item on her clipboard. She stared at the tall walls and the bunker with a machine gun in the slit, before noting "Wow... You guys adapted a lot of stuff."
"She's still under construction, but when she's done... Kasr Creed will be the most impenetrable fort on your planet." Matt stated proudly... Oh, Emperor, he had just jinxed it, did he not? "Anyways, the fact of the matter is that this is where we will sleep, eat and stay. So yes, we're working to make it as strong as possible..." And he just now noticed the wide eyes, disbelieving stare and open mouth. He raised a brow and followed her gaze...
... Posing in the middle, just in front of a trench was the squad. The four girls of the team struck poses while the reporter, Irene, took photos of them, with Kasr Creed as the backdrop of this little photoshoot. A girl with light orange hair and a red bow on top of her head, as well as Kasrkin gear, struck a smiling pose, leaning forward, both hands close like she was screaming of joy. A Psyker, clad in her standard uniform, Imperial purity seals, Servo-Skull Scribe helper with Iron Halo, Inquisition symbols and even the staff present and with open, welcoming arms. Her hair was brown ,tied with a white bow and held by one of the Purity seals. Yuri was next, holding a pose, looking slightly confused and showing her weapons, sword included... And finally, a girl with bright, eye-killing pink hair in pigtails held an 'arms on hip, right leg forward' pose...
"... oh..." Matt paused. "Hey, Colin!?"
"Yes?" He heard a voice call from within the MG bunker.
"Who let the reporter woman get close enough to us to take photos of the Roughnecks?!" He blared.
"That would be me, sir. Propaganda for the Gallians and what-have-you." Colin noted, a small, tiny, almost insignificant and unnoticeable smirk on his face as he leaned out of the gun slit. "To show cooperation between us and them, with a Gallian added into the mix. Monyka was more than glad to let her little literature and monster hunting squad be photographed and Nat was... As is natural... Not keen on it. Saoirse, though, by the Emperor..."
"..." Matt sighed, bowing his head.
"That's perfect, girls! Thanks! Oh, this'll go great on the Wall!" The reporter woman smiled, giving them a thumbs up. "You're free to relax now! I'll go get these printed after I get some more pictures of the battle in Kloden!"
"No problem, miss Ellet!" The Psyker nodded, leaning her staff on her shoulder. "And nicely done, Yuri. Welcome to the Club."
Yuri smiled "T-Thank you, Monyka."
"Yeah! You were awesome!" The orange-haired, blue-eyed and cute Kasrkin flaunted a peppy smile.
"Hmph." The pink-haired one nodded "Not bad, newbie." before looking to Matt. She murmured "Oooh, sh... Monyka, the Colonel's here." and that caused the other 3 to turn and greet their young officer. The orange-haired one waved happily at Matt, while the pink-haired one simply slid her helmet back onto her head. Monyka smiled too, then saluted.
"Colonel." She walked up to him. "Thank you for the new member."
"My pleasure, good Psyker." He nodded, then waved back to the kasrkin "I see Saoirse is still as peppy as ever."
"No wonder. She had a double serving of some sort of Gallian chocolate miss Ellet brought in as a gift for us." The Psyker stated promptly, stabbing her staff into the ground. She then bowed to Isara and spoke welcomingly "And hello to you as well. I take it you're Matias's friend." before standing up straight... Isara was still unsure of what to say, fumbling with words every so often, but not forming a coherent sentence.
... Matt sighed then asked "I take it Nat's taking the new girl in too?" and, after receiving a nod, ordered "Alright, let's pack up and go. I'll be joining the Gallian officer corps on one of their Halftracks, to communicate our planned offensive. we're also only leaving a Skeleton crew to run Kasr Creed. This is gonna be a wholesale, full regimental offensive."
"Perfect for us." Nat said, grabbing her Lasgun off her back.
"That... It is." Monyka's own creepy smile made it sappearance. "Be seeing ya around, Matt."
"Mhm." Matt nodded, dragging Isara by the collar as they left. He yelled out to Yuri "Good luck, ms. Yuri... And welcome to the Cadian First Youth..." Before he turned his head toward the Lascannon on a tripod in a nest of sandbags, to see something carved into the steel plating that acted as the shield for the Guardsmen manning it... 'Wait 4 Flash, Smile!'... Ah, classing Dark Humor of the Cadian variety...
... Why did he have a feeling he'd just made the craziest squad in his unit by adding Yuri into that mix...?