Chapter 10: Forged Anew

Governor's Palace, Highhold, 3 Months Later, 893.M41

Daniel sat in an office of the governor's palace once again, comfortable and likely far beyond his standing, musing on the past months after the depot had been successfully cracked. It had been a remarkably well-maintained store, almost all of its contents usable even a century after they had been put there. It had taken weeks to simply get it all cataloged and a plan drafted to transport it. It had taken a further month to extract it and get it shipped to the hive city.

Now, the last while had been dedicated to ensuring the munitions were in their proper place, in the magazines of defense cannons, in the hands of PDF soldiers, or in the stores of the city proper.

All the while, Daniel had watched as Maniple Gryphon grew. Though the 5 Chimeras and 50 extra people he'd been assigned in Greencloak Forest were part of the 1st and 2nd Motor Rifle Platoons, they weren't the entirety of those platoons. 7 more Chimeras, bringing the platoons up to 6 vehicles each, had joined his company as they'd returned, with another M.R. platoon, a scout platoon, and two tank platoons following rather soon after. In all, he would hold the lives of 360 soldiers and vehicle crew in his hands.
He'd review the entirety of the company later today. For now, his task was far more personal.

A knock at the door drew his attention away from the notes and figures of his new company. "Come in," he said, wondering which of the two people he was expecting would enter.

The young man who stepped in wore the black and red-lined coat and scarlet cap of the Commissariat. Here though, the outfit was simple and austere, a chestplate in place of the gleaming double-breasted skull buttons that Kurtiz wore and a simple Imperial Aquila on the front of the cap, the coat itself only adorned with a few medals that were likely of no small importance. All of it was spotless, the metal on his person gleaming.

The man that wore it, tall and broad of frame, seemed equally clean, the beginnings of a neat black beard covering the lower portion of a well-defined, oval face, its fair skin accentuated by the piercing gray eyes that lasered in on him as the man came to attention.

"Good afternoon, Captain," a deep, resonant voice said. "You asked to see me?"

"I did, Commissar Tiancem," Daniel replied, slightly surprised by the respect the Commissar showed him. "Please, take a seat. I'd like to get to know you better."

Tiancem approached and sat down at the singular chair before Daniel's desk. "I'm sure you've read the file that your commanding officer sent ahead of me," he said. "I myself made sure that it is as complete and honest as possible."

"Of course," Daniel replied, "but a file can only tell me so much about a person. There are things that I trust only the person themselves to tell me."

Tiancem shrugged slightly. "What would you ask of me, sir?"

"Your file says you've been in the field about a year so far, served with Maniple Manticore before it was decimated. What was your experience there like?"

"It was a stable, well-ordered company," Tiancem replied. "Captain Ybella was a stern commanding officer, but largely just."

"How often did you have to exercise your disciplinary powers?" Daniel asked. "And what form did that take?"

Tiancem frowned slightly. "Not often. As I said, it was a well-disciplined company. No soldier was so egregiously out of line that I had to execute them, but such order requires diligence in maintaining it. Often, I simply assigned recalcitrant soldiers to menial duties, cut a single meal, or other such minor punishments. Such was often enough to return them to their proper duty."

"I see," Daniel said. "That's good to hear."

He paused for a moment. "How much stock do you put into your power to execute soldiers who are in dereliction of their duty?"

Tiancem's brow furled slightly, and Daniel noted his hesitation. "It is a mighty, dangerous power to wield," he finally said. "These soldiers already put their lives on the line for the sake of the Imperium, and are asked to accomplish some of the most dangerous, and thankless, of tasks. More often than not, a soldier's issues with discipline and duty can be rectified with the proper punishment and instruction. Deserters, traitors, these deserve the bolt pistol, but otherwise… I do not need it often."

Daniel smiled slightly. "We are in agreement in that regard. I see no need to waste good soldiers whose only failure stems from ignorance or exhaustion. The more men we keep alive, the more effective we will be."

"It is a simple equation," Tiancem said, pausing for a moment. "If I may ask something, Captain?"

Daniel nodded. "Ask away."

"What is your view on your current company? I understand it is only now about to finish its formation, but I imagine you have some thoughts."

Daniel nodded. "I can't say that I have much in the way of current opinion on many of these soldiers. The Regiment itself contains hearty soldiers, even as the siege on this city has taken its toll. It's only recently that we've had the opportunity to shore up our companies into full, cohesive units, instead of having Captains leading single squads as was the case with Commander Kinley before I arrived."

He paused for a moment. "I will be reviewing the gathered company later today when its final elements arrive. You'll be present for that, of course. We'll get a gauge on how well this Maniple will work."

Tiancem nodded. "Indeed. I'll be looking forward to that."

Daniel smiled slightly. "I won't keep you any longer. We'll see more of each other going forward, of that I'm sure. I just wanted to meet you face to face."

They stood and shook hands firmly. "Good day to you, Captain," Tiancem said.

"To you as well," Daniel replied, watching as Tiancem exited.

Taking a seat with a quiet sigh, he turned his attention to another person, invisible to all. "That was much better than I was expecting, I must admit," he said to the stone in his jacket.

"I am amazed you can share your perception such as you do, "Lodham replied. The wonder in his statement concealed a hope at diversion.

"He seems a good enough man for someone in the Commissariat," Daniel continued. "I'd rather depend on a man that doesn't feel the gravitic pull of a pistol's trigger."

He could feel the disgust radiating off of Lodham's soul. "It is a barbaric practice," he nearly spat. "Do you truly place such little training and trust in your soldiers that you must enforce order with the threat of death?"

"I share your regard for the practice," Daniel replied. "As useful as the Commissariat can be in maintaining order, all too many see the list of summary executions they accrue as a mark of honor. But when the Imperium's ranks include not only professional soldiery but conscripts, even press-ganged criminals, they must be able to bring discipline to the entirety of the ranks."

The explanation did little to tamp Lodham's derision. "I find the Aspects of the Aeldari a more useful expression of martial capability. Even our Guardians, most humble of our defenders, consider the Aspects carefully."

"Would that humanity had the lifespan for such a method of martial artistry," Daniel mused as he settled in to wait for the second, and last, of his current meetings.

The next knock at the door was accompanied by a gentle tendril of psychic power brushing over his mind. Daniel had prepared the requisite barriers around his soul to keep things from being given away to his next guest, and he radiated a mental air of invitation that she, and the person in question was indeed a she, would pick up.

The door opened, a woman in gray, flowing robes concealing rather perfunctory armor, vambraces and a chestplate alike to, perhaps even less than, the flak armor most usual guardsmen wore stepping in, her footsteps punctuated by the gentle thunk of a bare metal staff, its only decoration a sideways golden eye with an inset amethyst. The robes did not impede the woman from carrying a holster at her hip, a laspistol kept within. The rather drab outfit was punctuated by an armor piece inset with brilliant blue crystals that draped across her chest and shoulders.

She paused at the desk next to the chair Tiancem had occupied earlier and looked at Daniel with green eyes so dark, they almost seemed black when they shifted into darker lighting, set in a well-weathered face with a few lines in almost artful places doing little to mar a striking, rather beautiful sight. Her expression was neutral, reserved, framed by a bob-cut of red hair of a deep enough hue that Daniel would have thought it wasn't natural if it weren't for the dusting of gray scattered across it.

"If I may, Captain?" the woman said softly, her voice a smooth, deep alto, gesturing to the seat.

Daniel nodded. "Please, sit."

The woman took a seat, Daniel glancing down at the file to ensure he remembered her name correctly. "I'm glad you accepted my offer of a meeting, Ms. Demetè."

"It's a rare instance for any officer to ask outright for my presence without some immediate need," Benefis Demetè replied. "Your relaxed nature suggests a familiarity with psykers."

"I spent a recent, goodly portion of my life as part of a Rogue Trader's retinue. I've been around my fair share of psychically gifted."
Benefis nodded slightly, her smile equally slight. "I see. Your life must have taken quite a turn to go from traveling amongst the stars to commanding the front lines of an Imperial Guard unit."

Daniel sighed quietly. "You could say something like that, yes. It's been a long, all-too-interesting life. Or at least it certainly feels like it, anyway."
He regarded her hair for a moment. "I'm surprised that you have hair with which to have gray in. As far as I was aware, the process of implanting inhibitors made it… difficult for such an occurrence."

Benefis chuckled softly. "I was blessed with a greater control over my biology than was expected. Even the inhibitors could not fully tamp that down."

Daniel nodded. "Fascinating. How much previous experience have you had amongst the regiment?"

That question seemed to snuff what amusement Benefis had, her mouth becoming a hard line. "I've seen my fair share of companies," she said quietly. "Had a long enough life to hear much of what humanity has to say of me. Especially after being the last one standing one too many times."

"And you gained a reputation, I would imagine," Daniel said softly.

"Spare your sympathy," Benefis said, lifting her hand slightly. "I've grown strong enough to not require it."

Daniel smiled sadly. "And I've found, through decades of experience, that no one ever truly does. It falls, then, on us to shore each other up. But… I think humanity has forgotten that sort of tenderness, for the most part."

Benefis frowned slightly, and Daniel wondered if her psychic power was restrained even in her curiosity. "You are an odd man, Captain Theisman."

Daniel's smile warmed. "It keeps the galaxy an interesting place. Whatever your standing thus far, it matters nothing here."

Before either could continue, there was a knock at the door. Daniel frowned slightly for a moment, then he nodded slightly. "Pardon me, Ms. Demetè. Come in!"

The door opened, and Kat, her armor arrayed in the silvered scale patterns of what was known as the Adamant Guard, the elite in this regiment, stepped in. She had a slight smile on her face. "They've arrived, sir. The rest of us have already taken ours."

Daniel nodded. "Place mine on the desk. How are the men?"

"In order and waiting for you to finish, sir," Kat replied as she approached the desk and set a small pouch down in front of Daniel. "We'll have them presentable at your command."

"Good," Daniel replied. "I believe we'll be out momentarily. Dismissed, Lieutenant."

Kat came to attention, saluting with a slight smile. "Sir."

She glanced down at Benefis, who met her somewhat anxious gaze with a neutral expression. After a moment, she looked back at Daniel, who met her anxiety with patience.

"Ms. Demetè, our new sanctioned primaris psyker," he said, pausing for a moment. "She won't maul you, Kat," he said meaningfully. "You can breathe easy."

Kat took a deep breath. "My apologies, ma'am. I look forward to working with you."

She didn't sound like she fully meant it, but she did the best she could. She turned and exited the room.

Daniel expected about as much at the best of times. And the best of times would be a rare thing indeed.

"She puts much stock in your words," Benefis said as she looked at the door for a moment longer. "I've no need to peer into her mind to see that."

Daniel nodded. "We've served together since the tithe caught us on Pallaidus Primus. Lieutenant Dhiv and the rest of my squad were raised to command together."

"An unusual development," Benefis said, her brows arched. "How long have you served together?"

"4 years, now," Daniel replied. "Almost 2 of which were with me as a Captain playing at Sergeant in command of the squad. Which is why they know that I will treat you with respect, regardless of your power or the potential dangers that come with it. And that I expect the same of them, and everyone under my command."

It was silent for a moment as Benefis considered the words. "I see," she finally said, a look in her eyes Daniel was sure she wasn't used to.

She focused on the pouch. "What did your soldier deliver for you?"

A twinkle appeared in Daniel's eye as he took the pouch and stood. "A surprise, madam. You'll forgive me if I ask you to indulge in it. It'll make the revelation that much more meaningful, I think. If you'll walk with me?"

Benefis stood and followed Daniel out of the office. "Was there not a third member of the command staff you wished to speak to after me?" she said as they walked.

Daniel chuckled softly. "Battle-Chaplain Bayard, at his insistence, will be joining us on the muster field for review, after which, he will give a sermon and consecrate the newly formed company."

"I see."

Daniel nodded. "It was a blessing in disguise, really. It allowed me to be less… perfunctory with yourself and Commissar Tiancem."

He paused before a door that led to his private quarters, rarely used save for storage. "Please, wait here for a moment. I'll need to be in my full uniform."

As Benefis nodded, Daniel stepped inside and addressed Lodhem again. "There's no concern to be had between us, my friend. I promise."

"Even with her psychic might?" Lodham asked as Daniel considered his new armor on a stand before pulling on a jacket that went to his knees, buttoning down to his waist. "This crystal is, above all else, a psychic locus."

"Even so," Daniel replied as he put on a chestplate, now painted with a line of gleaming silver scales that crossed over his chest. "Because we are linked soul to soul, we do not communicate psychically. Thus, no reason for her to suspect."

"I shudder at the things I hear from the most innocuous of places," Lodhem said after a moment as Daniel retrieved his weapons. "Psychic inhibitors, surgically implanted? I am well aware of the dangers of the Thoughtsea, with the Great Devourer thirsting after my people's souls, but to medically, mechanically cripple the mind so as to hide such power? I had almost forgotten the barbarity of humanity, regardless of the age."

The last sentence piqued his curiosity, but there would be time for an answer later. For now, he checked the outfit in the mirror, ensuring all was in order before he stepped out the door, beginning his walk with Benefis again. "Like I said, the Imperium has had to resort to brutish, crude means to ensure the survival of the polity and humanity as a whole. We cannot save it all, I don't think. But we can do our best with who we can reach."

"And how many can we reasonably save?"

"More than you might think."

. . .

Daniel stepped into the open air at the top of a grand flight of stairs, Tiancem and Benefis on his flanks as the collected company came into sight, assembled on the far side of the palace grounds.

In that moment, a loud, clear voice rang out. "Company! Present arms!" Galen shouted.

Equally in unison, rifles and other weapons clattered against armor, backs ramrod straight at attention. The soldiers stood in front of their vehicles, the command squad and their vehicle at its front.

Daniel took in the fullness of the sight, seeing the men and women who considered him, privately or not, before he made his way down the stairs, reaching into a pocket and slipping the contents of the pouch into his hand.

At its base waited the last figure Daniel needed to meet, clothed in simple gray and tan robes with flak armor across his chest, a brilliant golden Imperial Aquila hanging from a chain over the well-fed barrel-like body. From what Daniel could tell, Bayard was a little shorter than him, but his ramrod-straight posture and the intense gleam of his brilliant blue eyes, set in a clean-shaven, weatherbeaten face under short blond hair, exuded an aura of grandness that more than made up for his stature.

As they approached, Bayard bowed slightly, making the sign of the Aquila. "Blessings of the God-Emperor be upon ye, Captain Theisman," he said, his voice a tenor, slightly raspy but strong from what was likely a lifetime of shouting over the din of battle.

Daniel bowed slightly in turn as he paused, returning the gesture. "Brother Chaplain Bayard. I'm thankful you've come to bring an inspiring spirit to the troops."

"It has been, and always shall be, my life's duty," Bayard replied. "Such time as comes with the formation of a new company can be a fraught period, filled with frail uncertainty. I must stem any doubts or fears at their source."

Daniel nodded. "My thoughts exactly. If you'll join us in our review?"

Bayard nodded, falling in by the side of Tiancem as he spared Benefis a cautious glance as they came to the front of the company.

He came to a stop for a moment in front of the Fighting Furies, considering their Adamant Guard regalia for a moment, smiling slightly and nodding. "They look sharp as tacks," he said. "I'd say they didn't need much help?"

"Not a bit, sir," Kat replied.

"Good. Good," Daniel replied before moving on.

The motor rifles were arrayed in the first and second rows, men and women of all sizes remaining absolutely still at attention. He paused in front of the first squad, their sergeant a thin, rough-faced man with stubble sprouting from a tawny, oval face, amber eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at the man.

"What's your name, sir?" Daniel asked.

The man blinked. "Fenell, sir," he said after a moment's uncertainty.

Daniel nodded, reaching out a hand. "Your squad?"

Fenell looked down at the proffered hand in confused awe for a moment before taking it. "Polecats, sir," he said. "Damn fine people."

"Excellent," Daniel replied. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Sergeant Fenell."

He looked over at the vehicle crew. "Does your vehicle have a name?"

The crew glanced back at the vehicle and back at Daniel. "Lady's Charm," one among their number said.

"A good name," Daniel nodded, smiling slightly. "She's probably got the edge on most when it comes to the last word, doesn't she?"

And thus it went as he made his way down the line, asking the names of the sergeants, the squads, and the vehicles. Onelle, in command of the Prodigal Paupers and riding in the Wise Contemptible. Ziremi of the Scrap-breakers, in the Ladder of the Dawn. Memella, Loudest Laughs, Whisperflame. On and on, until he'd greeted and knew at least the names of those under his command. One in each of the platoon's Chimeras were of slighter numbers, two men from a regular squad replaced with an emplaced heavy weapon, a lascannon, autogun, and a heavy bolter.

He came next to the scout platoon, the Sentinels standing proud like giants over their single pilots and above the heights of the two Chimeras that were their partners. Here were Imbruglu, Essex, and Poppel, old hands at their controls with a fresh-faced woman in their care named Requesci. He paused for a moment in front of the humble Centaur that would be their communications vehicle, the crew of 5 soldiers and a driver at least somewhat familiar to him as he smiled warmly.

"I'm glad you were able to join us, Lieutenant Weris," he said. "Now, It's my job to be a nosy bastard instead of just my inclination."

Weris chuckled. "Comms station work was well and boring by now. Me and the others are ready for a change in pace, sir."

Daniel nodded. "I'm sure Sergeants Galbrot and Hilten, along with their squads, will do their best to make sure you don't get too toasty. There's action and there's scouting, and I commend you for doing the latter."

He talked for a moment longer before passing on to the armored gauntlet of the company: its armored platoons. Their centerpieces were the imposing Rogal Dorn tanks, one armed with a massive Oppressor cannon, another with twin battle cannons. These were Felicity of Steel and Condemnation's Hand, their 9-person crews among the veterans of the platoons.

Accompanying these titans of battle were the more conservatively sized Leman Russ tanks. A pair armed with the standard battle cannons were in each platoon, but their other two compatriots differed between the two. Where the 1st Platoon had a plasma cannon-equipped Executioner, the 2nd had an Annihilator armed with twin-linked lascannons. For their anti-infantry complement, the 1st had a Punisher tank, equipped with the eponymous rotary cannon, and the 2nd had a tank entirely new to Daniel.

He paused in front of it, considering the main turret weapon of what looked like an oversized flamer. "What pattern of Leman Russ is this, Noeld?" he asked.

The commander, a deeply tanned woman, answered. "We run what's called an Incinerator. Usually, we run alongside Hellhounds in doing sweep and clear missions of enemy-held territory, but we've worked in tandem with armored companies before. Nothing like a plume of flame to really clean anything out of a fortified position."

"I see," Daniel said, ruminating on the name of the tank – Sunfury – painted on the side of the turret. "I think this is my first time seeing one this closely. Remarkable."

The tanks were in good order, and Daniel made one last stop in the back ranks, to the techpriests who would be their Enginseers, vital to the upkeep of their equally important vehicles.

He paused before two of them, regarding the pair with a slight smile. "I should count myself lucky that your senior Magos was willing to grant my request."

Isyander and Koda regarded each other with no small amount of hesitation before regarding Daniel. "I must admit," Isyander said somewhat hesitantly, "neither of us can quite comprehend why you would ask for us specifically. We have no great feats to our names that would warrant such a request."

"I enjoyed your company, and I do not doubt your capabilities," Daniel replied. "Is that not enough?"

Again, the siblings shared a hesitant glance. "I guess it is…" Koda replied.

"It will have to be enough," Daniel replied. "And thank you for your craftsmanship."

"It was a trivial task, all told," Isyander replied. "We are still quite confused as to its purpose."

"Well, now you find out," Daniel said, his smile growing. "Have the enginseers come forward, bringing the rest of the company up to the front. I would speak to them before our Battle-Chaplain."

With that, Daniel, Benefis, Bayard, and Tiancem, the three of whom had been silent thus far, made their way to the front of the gathered company, the hustle and bustle of the company growing behind him until he turned and saw all 360 men and women, watching him intently.

'Here we go…' Daniel thought, keying his comm bead to the Lion with the Las-Breath's speakers.

"Soldiers of the Silver Scales," he said, his voice amplified by the vox-casters behind the company, "I welcome you to Maniple Gryphon, and I admire your tenacity and courage to come so far in the service of Humanity and the Emperor. We are brought together in the Imperial Guard for a singular purpose: to be a shield for humanity and a hammer against its foes. In this calling, you have likely been the last remnants of your former units these last, hard years, working with whoever you manage to link up with. Now, however, is the time for unity, for us to forge ourselves anew into a force that can drive these Orks off this world."

He paused for a moment, taking in the rather unamused, somewhat bored expressions of most of the soldiers of the company. No doubt, they had heard something quite like this many, many times before. That, Daniel knew, was about to change.

"I'm sure that most of you wonder what the quality and elements of your newest commanding officer may be," Daniel continued. "No doubt, many of you have served under many, many different officers. Many were likely hardasses, the sort to tell you that your greatest service is only to die. Some few may have been too cautious, leaving you annoyed and exasperated, however privately, that chances you were absolutely sure could be taken were wasted. All, regardless, engaged with risk."

He had their attention now, and the time was coming for the surprise to be unveiled. "All have rolled the Iron Dice, as all soldiers ever shall," he said, reaching into his pocket and drawing out two plain metal cubes, pips bored into their surface, and showing them to the audience, now paying rapt attention. "What I hold in my hand is merely a physical representation of the risks we take every day, charging into battle, going on patrol, standing guard at a vital point. This pair, and those among my command squad, are formed from the battle-damaged plate of our Chimera. It is my hope that all of you will have your own pair, in time."

"You're still wondering about the quality of your commanding officer," Daniel continued. "Some of you are probably wondering if I've simply gone artfully crazy in my time. But if there is anything you can be sure of, let it be this. We are here to be soldiers, to fight and, if needs be, die, but I will not needlessly risk your lives in undertaking our duties. To die in the company of your fellow soldiers, in the defense of humanity, is an honorable end to life. But it is better to live, to continue to defend humanity. I so swear, your lives are of the utmost importance to me. The lives of Fenell and Memella, Imbruglu and Requesci, Weris and Noeld and on and on, meansomething. And I shall never break that oath to you."

He let the words hang in silence for long moments, giving them time to sink into the minds of the wide-eyed soldiers as he pocketed the Iron Dice. "Let that be fixed in your mind as we fight fate," Daniel said quietly. "And we shall seem to live forever."

He looked over at Bayard. "Our Battle-Chaplain, Brother Bayard, has a blessing of consecration he wishes to give us. I've said my piece. I'll now allow him to speak his."
With that, he beckoned Tiancem and Benefis to follow him to his command squad's side, Bayard clearing his throat.

"Sons and Daughters of the God-Emperor," he began, Daniel finding himself impressed at how well he projected his voice without any evident augmentation, "He has seen you together here, in this place and time, for a reason only He knows fully. But rest assured…"

. . .

The Next Day

Daniel stepped into the conference room, greeting his fellow Captains with a nod, a slight smile, a kind word here and there. Most regarded him in a decent light with his stand against Gearstrika, whatever grumbling there might have been as to the technicalities of his objective. That he was in command of a proper Maniple now likely helped in some regard.

But the past was not why they gathered here today. Now, they looked toward the future. Commander Kinley stood in the great planning room in front of the hololith table, the triumvirate of Astartes Captains, Preceptor Orella, and the lead Tech-Priest Dominus of Terinix-Ochre-12, Parthesus-Cetus-3214 if he recalled correctly, surrounding it.

As everyone settled in for the briefing, Kinley activated the hololith table. "Ladies and gentlemen," she said, "the city is now as secure as we can make it, so we set our sights on the mountain strongholds of the Orks."

The mountain range and its surrounding foothills bloomed to life in green wireframes. "Air scouts, what ones can manage to fly over the mountains and return, have determined that the range is infested with Orks. It appears that this is their main settlement here on Salome," Kinley continued. "As such, It's more than likely that this will be their most heavily fortified stronghold, far more so than even Highhold was."

The thought of it made more than a few spare glances at each other, Daniel's brow furrowing slightly. The year was… 893.

"How long are the initial estimates we're looking at for breaking the Orks?" he said calmly.

All eyes turned to the Dominus, who stood silent for long moments. "With the current calculations of our strength," they finally said, their voice a harsh, grating buzz, "we estimate a total of 14 solar years and 285 solar days."

A chill ran through Daniel's veins as the rest of the Captains suppressed sighs and groans at the number, a few quiet whispers passing from one captain to another.

"Regardless of the time taken," Kinley said somewhat forcefully, "we must take things one step at a time. First, we establish a forward base in the foothills. Your companies will be shoring up and reinforcing the gains that the Astartes and the Mechanicus forces have made in recent weeks. From there, we can start to consider our options as to how we prosecute this mountain warfare."

Kinley looked over at the Dominus and Orella. "Can we count on your support, Dominus? Preceptor?"

"With known and classified secondary objectives taken into consideration," the Dominus said, "we can allocate approximately 45.82% of our forces to your campaign."

Orella sighed quietly. "We are currently dedicated to shoring up the city fully, to ensure that it shall not fall to the alien again. We will support your campaign, but it will take time for our forces to begin arriving in earnest. A few months at the very least."

Kinley took a deep breath, then nodded. "I can work with that. Thank you for your willingness to assist us. Now, let's get to our assignments."

As the briefing started in earnest, Daniel tried to fight the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach as he linked up with Lodham's soul, giving him the particulars of the timeline. "Is there any way that we can drive down that time to any great extent?"

Lodham considered the quandary silently for a moment. "Allow me to confer with Farseer Vìan," he replied. "She will have a far greater understanding of our available forces and their potential efficacy."

Again, Lodham fell silent, and Daniel received his maniple's assignment, to take and hold the mouth of a valley leading into the range proper.

It was not until the meeting was adjourned 3 hours later that Lodham's presence returned. "With the might of our forces to assist you in uprooting the Orks in the mountains," he said, "we can lower the length of time by as much as 5 years, potentially."

Daniel's jaw clenched. Not enough. "Thank you, Lodham."

"What worries you so, if I may ask?" Lodham asked. "What event lies in the future that you try to brace yourself for?"

"The greatest display of the Imperium turning on itself in 10,000 years," Daniel replied. "More likely than not, we will be thrown into it without reprieve, barring a miracle. Now, I will have to set certain plans in motion."

He hoped he would have the time for such things while they were on campaign in the mountains. But only time would fully tell.