Chapter XVI:

Mors Mihi Lucrum

Liberté et Égalité, Republic of San Magnolia, March 26th SY 2149

Riegel's battered corpse was on full display near Palace BlancNeige, hanging from a crude iron cross. Ever since his death, the rebellious "Patriotic Knights" have suddenly disappeared, and the unruly voice of the population died out soon after.

Lena grimaced each time she passed by the late general's cadaver, knowing full well that if she stepped out of line a similar fate awaits her, perhaps worse. The macabre thought sprung in her mind as she caught glances at the brainless autonomous Servitors that roamed around the military headquarters. Lately, there has been an increase in personnel from the Adeptus Mechanicus. They were tasked with fortifying key strategic buildings across the capital city, notably with planning and installing anti-air guns.

"Servitor, your efficiency levels are below optimal. Explain." A Tech-priest sternly commanded a lone Servitor, beside it was a large cart filled with heavy ammunition crates.

++Damage++

The Servitor replied monotonously, unbothered by the wary looks given by passing Alba officers.

"Define the damage." The Tech-priest demanded; his tone slightly annoyed.

++Spine compromised++

"Have you not received pain suppressants?"

++Suppressants administered. Damage Severe++

The Tech-priest sighed in frustration, "Report to the aid station. Maybe they'll find a way to replace your discs… or we'll find some other use."

++Compliance++

She shuddered, she hoped to the Emperor that she wouldn't share the same fate.

After the Handlers morning brief, she went straight to her command module and resonated with Shiden .

"Your Majesty, where should we deploy?" The squadron commander asked eagerly.

Lena grinned slightly, "We're being relieved, we'll be on QRF duty for today while the Guard take the lead. I've been assured that the Imperial Navy will be on high alert."

"Really?" Shiden asked doubtfully, "About damn time! It's nice to finally have professionals over here."

"Yeah, kinda getting tired of saving the white pigs all the time…" Mika commented nonchalantly and grimaced, realising a second too late her mistake, "My apologies, Major…"

"It's okay," Milizé replied with a faint smile, "Unfortunately, with the lines being so sporadic these past days, the Imperial Guard has requisitioned your base as a forward operating base. Meaning that you will likely share buildings with the Guard and the Albas."

There was a long and uncomfortable silence. She knew that the Processors wouldn't take the news lightly and to heart, conflicts are bound to happen, but orders were orders. She suddenly felt that her throat was dry, anxiously tugging at her collar.

"I… I know it's poor timing and that-"

"We'll be fine, Major." Cyclops abruptly cut her, her tone was uncharacteristically levelled and serious. "Just keep guiding us on the battlefield, okay? Common soldiery matters shouldn't concern you."

"On the contrary, you are under my command. The wellbeing of my soldiers should-" Again she was interrupted by one of the Processors laughing lightly.

"She called us 'soldiers'… damn I don't know if I should take it as a compliment or an insult!"

"Pipe it down, Hanni." Shana scolded sternly.

"We appreciate your concerns, Major, really, but don't worry about any… incidents with the white doughboys." Shiden reassured Lena with a boastful grin.

"Alright, if you say so," Milizé conceded reluctantly, "But do report to me for any unprofessional conduct from them."

"Aye, Major. We'll keep in touch with you. Take some rest as well, your Majesty." The Resonance went silent before she could argue.

The young Alba sighed heavily. She had a bad feeling since she was briefed about the situation. For years, the Eighty-Six enjoyed some semblance of autonomy and freedom but now with the Imperium of Man leading the war effort and forcing the San Magnolians into the fight, it was bound to happen when Albas and Coloratas would have to mix once again. There have already been reports of infighting and even lynching perpetrated by Albas soldiers on mixed FOBs. Though the perpetrators were swiftly dealt with by Imperial Commissars and officers, the damages have already been done.

She shifted her gaze at the map displayed on her large screens. Their latest intel suggested that a Legion mobile factory unit was in the Eastern Front, possibly producing the infamous Hornet drones. The Death Korps along with Republic and Cadian armoured units were tasked with pushing deeper into Legion territory and locate said factory unit. She grabbed her coffee mug and sipped the warm synthetic drink. She feels that her squadron's break will be short lived as the frontline across the country is on the brink of collapse.

"Just got to make it through today, one day at a time…"

The Eastern Front, Republic of San Magnolia

Thunderbolts soared overhead the Cadian tanks. Captain Jacksen stared at the V-shaped formations of the Imperial Navy as they engage with Legion ground forces. His Rogal Dorn tank, baptised Harbinger of Victory, sped through the ravaged battlefields of the Eastern Front, flanked by Cadian Leman Russes and Sentinels while the Krieg main force took the lead. Lagging close behind them were the Republic tanks, trying desperately to catch up.

"Thirty seconds until contact," His pilot announced coolly.

"Right, lads, game faces on and let's give these pieces of scrap some Cadian wrath!" Jacksen replied into his headset. He lowered himself back into his seat, closing the heavily armoured hatch on the way.

"Oppressor Cannon hot and primed, cap!" His gunner reported loudly.

"Copy that!"

Jacksen observed through his periscope the battlefield. Death Korps Leman Russes and Chimeras made contact with the Legion. The two armoured forces clashed violently, sporadic tank shells and las-fire erupted, dust and suffocating black smoke swiftly built up into an imposing smog.

"All tanks! The Kriegers are engaging the enemy. Let's clear out a path for them and finish this fight!" Jacksen ordered zealously into his vox caster, "Cadia stands!"

"CADIA STANDS!" The other crews roared with determined fervour.

A symphony of battle cannons and Bolters smashed into the enemy line, ripping and tearing apart any autonomous machine with ease and extreme prejudice. The Cadian tanks made sure to deliver the Emperor's hammer into the Legion's core. The Harbinger of Victory metaphorically and literally crushed any prey in her path, her guns sang with glee as her Machine Spirit revelled in the death and destruction of her hated foes. The multi-Melta side sponsons howled savagely, blasting away super-heated rays, vaporizing their targets. The hull-mounted Pulviser cannon roared mightily as its shells wiped entire squadrons of Ameise and Grauwolf.

In the tank's turret, one could hear the cacophony of loud detonations and the gun crews yelling at each other. The Oppressor cannon destroyed another Löwe with a violent and powerful strike.

"Up!" The loader hollered, covered in black soot, grime and sweat.

"Enemy tank! Four hundred metres, front!" Jacksen shouted into his vox headset.

"On target!"

"Fire!"

"On the way!"

The cannon punctured the air. A cloud of soot and gunpowder filled the turret, blinding the crew for a mere second.

"Hit! Destroyed!" The gunner reported loudly, his left foot stomping eagerly beside the cannon's fire pedal.

The Legion's Löwes were clearly outmatched and outgunned by the Cadian and Death Korps tanks, only four Leman Russes were eliminated. With the tide of battle turning against them, the autonomous army retreated. The Death Korps armour and cavalry units pursued their enemy with absolute zeal and grim determination, cleaving a destructive path through enemy territory.

The Cadians followed behind, laying down long range fire support while San Magnolian tanks and infantrymen secured their new grounds, constructing makeshift trenches and pillboxes.

Throughout the day, the Imperial Guard forces were able to push back and stall the Legion's advance, even braving through the unrelenting hail of Hornet attacks. Frigates in orbit pounded the enemy lines with devastating and earth-shattering orbital strikes. Brisingamen Squadron observed the battlefield from a vantage point, far from the brutal battle.

"Yeaaah, they seem to handle it, Major. They won't be needing us anytime soon." Shiden replied nonchalantly as her LCD screens zoomed out of the frontline.

"Copy. Return to base and rest up. Tomorrow might get uglier." Milizé instructed after a sigh of relief.

"I doubt it, but we can never be too careful I guess." The veteran Processor complied reluctantly.

Back on the frontline, Republic foot soldiers scoured their new area of operation. Fox holes connected to one and another, quickly transforming into another massive trench network. The tanks of the Astra Militarum rolled back to the secondary line for repairs and refuelling. The M36B2 tanks of the Republic were spread about, acting as improvised pillboxes and effective observation posts thanks to their long-range optics.

Private first class Gregorie was on watch duty with another squad mate, his desert camouflage uniform was dirtied and covered in ash, mud and dust. The Celena's silver eyes were empty of any semblance of life, bags piled up under his eyes. He yawned loudly, today's battle took a heavy toll on his energy and morale.

He had his battle rifle slung behind him while he struggled to light the tip of his cigarette. If he knew six months ago that he would find himself in this mess, having witnessed the deaths of many of his friends and has grown addicted to nicotine, he would've found a way to escape the draft. Instead, he volunteered, thinking he would find adventure, bring glory and honour to his family name and marry his high-school sweetheart.

"Putain…" He swore in frustration.

"Here," His squad mate grabbed his lighter and managed to produce a small, warm flame.

"Thanks, dude." Gregorie replied gratefully.

Unfortunately, his smoke break was cut short. A burst of bullets struck his comrade's helmet, instantly killing the man. He dove into the trench, panic stricken. Surprised hollers echoed across the line as gunshots erupted chaotically.

"Attack! We're under attack!" He shouted before shouldering his rifle and open fire at shadows he perceived in the dark and dense forest ahead of him.

Their cover compromised, a wave of Jaëgers bolted out of the forest and charged the small gap and jumped into the trench line. A bloody and vicious hand-to-hand combat ensued. The bipedal drones effortlessly craved through the San Magnolian rank. Enemy artillery shells battered the human trench, a thick yellow smog rolled through the frontline, suffocating the Republic soldiers.

"Gas! Gas! Gas!"

Gregorie quickly donned his gas mask. His breathing was frantic and short. Disoriented by the toxic gas cloud, he warily ventured down the trench, crossing corpses of his comrades and Legion haphazardly piled on each other; the duckboards over filled with mud, blood and oil.

Screams of terror and wails of agony echoed in the confusing and claustrophobic trenches. He suddenly turned around and abruptly drew short breath, eyes wide open with shock and horror. A Jaëger has managed to sneak up behind him and plunged its sharp blade through his Kevlar vest and ribcage. The lifeless drone deftly retracted its blade and pushed passed him, hunting other targets.

Gregorie fell painfully to his knees, his hands gripping at his serious wound, his breathing became even more erratic as panic and pain set in. He frantically tried to open his first aid kit, in the vain hope that a gauze and some morphine would be just enough to ensure his survival. The canvas kit broke loose and spilled its contents in the mire of tainted mud. He hastily grabbed the gauze and messily tried to put pressure on his wound.

He felt extremely cold and tired. He rested against the trench, whining as each movement demanded a herculean effort.

"God-Emperor… hear my prayer… forgive me of my sins and … welcome me to the Eternal Gates…"

Brígsingamen Squadron base, First Ward, Eastern Front

Another Cargo-6 arrived at the Korps' casualty collection point. The corpses were carefully brought out of the truck and perfectly lined up with the rest of dead. Meanwhile, the Death Korps Quartermasters have begun the grime and sombre task of retrieving and harvesting every essential resource from the deceased: weapons, munitions, undamaged helmets and vests, shoes, blood. The corpses would then be disposed of and burned in mass graves dozens of kilometres away from the base.

A handful of San Magnolian soldiers were also assigned to the morbid task, covering their mouths and noses with thick cloths. Though not the first time they've witnessed the Quartermasters at work, for one of the younger soldiers it was too much to remain silent and tolerate such blatant profane and immoral acts.

"That's it!" He said and angrily stomped towards a Quartermaster, "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

The faceless medic perked up and stared silently before he returned to his work, stabbing a syringe into an Alba.

"Don't you have any respect for the dead? Is this what the Emperor wants?" The young man berated furiously, gathering the severe attention of a Krieg Commissar.

The Quartermaster halted in his actions and stared blankly back at him before he replied in a flat tone: "He is dead. We are at risk of running short on supplies. We must make the most with the resources available to us. Your comrade has no further use for this blood, but it could save a life with which the Emperor can be served. I presumed your comrade would wish to serve the Emperor, no?"

The San Magnolian was baffled by the Korpsman's statement. He struggled to reason with this and looked back at his fellow soldiers for support, but none would dare to back him up.

"Is there an issue, soldier?" A displeased and measured tone cut the air menacingly.

He turned around and paled at the sight of the Commissar, standing mere feet away from him, easily towering over him even without his dreaded peaked cap.

"Is there an issue, soldier?" He repeated, this time louder and more irritated.

"no-no, commissar…" The young soldier answered meekly.

"Then get back to work. Or I'll personally feed you to the Legion." The Commissar threatened forebodingly. He shifted his cold gaze to the rest of the San Magnolian troop, "I find you lacking one more time and I'll have you all shot and your bodies grinded for corpse starches!"

The soldiers hasten their pace, fear and dread driving them to work faster.

Commissar Rayne walked beside Death Marshal Arnem, silently evaluating the local soldiers' performance with a cold and stern gaze. The Death Korps officer was inspecting the base's defences.

"The local PDF regiments still have a lot to learn. They still lack discipline, courage and faith." He stated straightforwardly, as if reporting to the Commissar. "However, the pilots of the Juggernauts fare better and have proven themselves far useful than the PDF."

"So, I've heard," Rayne replied nonchalantly, "I haven't gotten the honour to see them in combat, but I'll take your word for it, Death Marshal."

She stopped when he abruptly halted in his tracks, the dark beady lenses of his gas mask stared at the lined and covered corpses of fallen Guardsmen and soldiers. He recognized Cadians and Korpsmen among the dead. He lowered his head and muttered a small prayer. Rayne respected the moment of silence and empathy.

"Boys… so many young boys…"

"Excuse me?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing, Commissar." He replied curtly, "Should we continue?"

The pair continued with their inspection. Rockcrete pillboxes and command bunkers dotted the newly established Forward Operating Base. Additional prefabricated habs and stations were flown in by Navy flyers. Aegis Defence barricades lined up the base's perimeter, fortified with quadruple autocannon platforms and Icarus pattern Lascannons. It was quite a sight to witness, a true show of the Imperium's logistics and readily available firepower.

Satisfied with the fortifications, they headed back to one of the Skyshield landing pads. As they walked past one of the prefab habs, they heard a commotion just around the corner. Commissar Rayne's face went from surprise to shock then morphed into seething rage in an instant.

She found Katarinya Weiss surrounded by four badly beaten and bloodied Republic soldiers, not to mention the three unconscious soldiers laid haphazardly on the ground. The Cadian had a couple of bruises and scratches on her but was otherwise in better shape than the Albas.

"What's the meaning of this?" Rayne barked stoutly, stomping towards the nearest Alba and effortlessly threw him against a wall. Everyone stood at attention rigidly, fear taking over.

"Well, is anyone going to answer me?" She asked again, running out of patience. She stared intently at Weiss then at the small boy cowering behind her.

She immediately recognized the teenager as a member of the Eighty-Six thanks to his dirtied and ripped desert combat uniform. The boy had a bloody nose and a cut lip, along with a couple of large bruises on his arms and face. An exchange of looks between her and Weiss was enough to tell what transpired and caused the fight.

She roughly grabbed one San Magnolian by the collar and forcefully dragged him to the boy.

"Did you do this?" She asked harshly, fuming with barely controlled fury.

The Alba stammered gibberish, his face losing its colours. She tightened her hold around his collar sharply, lightly suffocating the man. "I want an answer. Corporal."

"y-yes, ma'am…" He blurted through ragged breaths.

She turned her baleful glare at another Alba, "You, state your identity and unit."

"Private first-class Francis Wozny, fourth platoon, seventh company, 91st Infantry Regiment!" The injured soldier answered hastily.

She threw his comrade at his feet and fully turned to the rest of the Albas, "Soldiery squabbling, I can tolerate, but assaulting fellow soldiers of the Imperium, you will all answer to me! I want you seven, your company commanders and regimental commander assembled in twenty minutes at bunker Kilo-3 where you will answer for your crimes and receive the appropriate punishment. Do I make myself clear or should I expedite your punishment now?"

The four San Magnolians saluted and clumsily picked up their unconscious comrades, quickly vacating the scene with their tails between their legs. Weiss stood rigidly at attention, expecting her fair share of ass chewing.

"Take the kid to the aid station and make sure he returns to his squadron safely." Rayne instructed stoically.

Confused, the Cadian saluted with an aquila and gently guided the Eighty-Six to the aid station.

"Weiss." The Commissar suddenly called, "This will be the first and only time that I'm letting you off the hook for a fight. Don't make a habit of it."

"Yes, ma'am."

Katarinya ushered the teenage boy to move along, avoiding the Death Marshal's soulless gaze. Rayne sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering insults under her breath.

"Should I make an example of the 91st Regiment, Commissar?" Arnem proposed indifferently.

"That… that won't be necessary. I can perform my duty, Death Marshal." Rayne replied with a raised, placative hand.

"Understood. I shall return to the First Ward and finish any preparations over there." He reported before saluting the Commissar and making his way to the landing platform.

Rayne quietly nodded. She took off her peaked cap and ran her gloved hand through her slightly longer-than-usual hair.

"This is going to be a fucking mess…" She said irritated as she fitted the Commissar's cap back on.

Wolfsland, the Western Front, Federal Republic of Giad, April 5th SY 2149

Air sirens wailed forebodingly as the soldiers on the ground ran for the bunkers or the anti-air guns platforms. Far off in the distance, at the Maginot Line, the fierce battle raged on since dawn. With the fortifications fully constructed, the defenders were able to hold off much longer than usual with relatively manageable casualties. However, that also meant that they were expending ammunitions and supplies much faster than anticipated.

Jenniah hastily landed Wyvern 6 on the Giadian helipad. A thick cloud of dust and dirt flushed out from underneath as the Valkyrie jolted unpleasantly upon impact. The large cargo bay door flung open, the crew members hurried over to grab and pack as many munition crates as humanely possible.

"Come on, come on…" Jenniah repeated anxiously.

"Wyvern 6, this is Beta 8-8." A cold and mechanical voice hailed into her vox comms.

"Fuck, what now?" She hissed before answering, "This is Wyvern 6."

"I strongly advise you to halt your supplies and perform the necessary inspections and rites at once!" Tech-priestess Zigi admonished sternly, "You are operating the Valkyrie's Machine Spirit far above what it can handle."

"Zigi, with all due respect, the Machine Spirit is fine for Wyvern 6. The bird's still singing and revving." The pilot replied confidently.

"I fail to see how your Valkyrie can sing but I again advise you to stop your supply runs this instant!" Zigi pressed on more urgently.

"Supplies' loaded, ma'am!" One of the crew members reported loudly.

"Fine," Jenniah finally conceded, "I'll perform the check-up after this run. Wyvern 6 out." She replied brashly and swiftly cut her vox headset from the Resonance. "All crew, this is our last supply run. We must perform a check-up right after this."

The lone Valkyrie soared across the Giadian hills and plains, rapidly closing with the battlefield. Her gut feeling worsened with every second. She was to be in a four-wing formation but in the heat of battle, each aircraft got separated.

"Thunderbolts to our right." The navigator announced coolly.

Jenniah stared at one of the Navy's heavy fighters. The lead aircraft's pilot stared back and waved nonchalantly at her. She waved back. The Thunderbolts sped past the Valkyrie, joining the rest of the Navy's wing squadrons.

"Go get 'em, Navy!" One of the door gunners hollered.

"Listen up! We're approaching the danger zone in thirty seconds. Keep your wits together and your aim true. We're going into a hot LZ." Jenniah warned her crew before accelerating the Valkyrie.

Airburst shells peppered the cloud filled sky. Swarms of Hornets circled around the ground forces before diving to their devastating doom. Wyvern 6 shook violently as each explosion rattled forcefully her frame. Jenniah grimaced with each tremble, fighting bitterly with her flight sticks, stabilizing the aircraft. Burst from the Heavy Bolters could be heard from behind the cockpit as the door gunners fend off the clouds of Hornets trying to take them down. So far, the Legion seemed content with producing suicide mobile units rather than equipping them with heavy stubbers or air-to-air missiles. She mentally thanked the God-Emperor that the enemy doesn't have the sensible logic to alter their air units to be any more efficient.

"Eight hundred metres!" Her navigator said.

"Copy. Commencing descent." She replied.

The Valkyrie gradually pitched her nose down, making a fast descent towards one of the many forts' Skyshield platforms. Giadian soldiers on the ground rushed to their anti-air gun emplacements and provided cover fire for the descending Valkyrie. Giadian self-propelled anti-air guns secured the landing zone and let loose a barrage of autocannon shells, swathing away any pesky Hornet around Wyvern 6.

The massive aircraft glided rapidly down, abruptly slowing her advance near the landing platform before impacting, jolting roughly. The rear ramp dropped open, and Guardsmen rushed to the compartment bay, unloading precious ammunition crates and medical supplies.

"Wyvern 6, this is Fort Hamilton control. Requesting a favour from you: that you evacuate critical wounded to Sankt Glycine. Is it possible?"

"Wyvern 6 to control. That's a solid yes. Bring in the wounded but be advised that I can't take a lot. Over."

"Solid copy, Wyvern 6. The help is still appreciated. Good luck. The Emperor protects."

"What the fuck are you doing, Jenniah? We're going to be an even slower target!" Her navigator berated harshly.

"I have the sticks, not you." She shot back half-ironically, "Have more faith in me and keep your eyes on that auspex. Our survival also counts on your skills." She heard him cuss angrily under his breath as he grudgingly yielded.

A couple of minutes passed before one of the door gunners reported six wounded with two medics on board. Wyvern 6 ascended swiftly into the air and veered back to Sankt Glycine base. With the escorts tangled on the frontline to maintain air superiority, the Valkyrie was on its own for several long minutes before reaching friendly air space. Both door gunners scanned the clouds, always vigilant and their Heavy Bolters trained at the slightest anomaly. The navigator observed the sky to the sides then on his auspex for any threat.

"Karking hell! To our 9 o'clock!" The left gunner alerted before he engaged the swarm of Hornets.

"Got a swarm to our 1 as well!" The navigator shouted.

"Alright, boys. Brace for evasive manoeuvres!" Jenniah warned sternly.

Streaks of Bolter rounds smashed into the cloud of Hornets, igniting their explosive charges and creating a fiery chain reaction in the sky. Enemy anti-air guns still targeted Wyvern 6, getting more accurate by the second. The Valkyrie thrashed around as the shockwaves slammed against its frame. Hot shrapnel struck the armour but didn't penetrate. Jenniah gritted her teeth as she fought against the violent thrashing and evade the flak rounds. The aircraft jerked suddenly and vigorously, knocking the medics and one of the side gunners off their feet.

"Crap! We're hit. We have a leak at one of the fuel tanks, Jenniah!" The navigator said troublingly.

"It's fine!" She replied assuredly, "We're going to make it. Surely the Emperor won't let us die so pathetically."

Fortunately, they were approaching friendly air space as more Thunderbolts and Vendettas flew past them in their direction, regrouping with other wings of the Navy's Aeronautica Imperialis. The crew members of Wyvern 6 released a collective sigh of relief. They've once again brushed close with Death. They took today's events as a sign that they should probably follow the tech-priestess's advise. After landing safely in Sankt Glycine base, they quickly performed the necessary check-ups and repairs on the Valkyrie.

It was dusk when the crews of Wyvern 6 were able to get their much-needed rest. Jenniah sat just outside the pilots' hab building, staring off into the gloaming sky. Aircrafts still flew back and forth between bases and the battlefield. Artillery guns boomed in the distance, pounding the unending wave of the Legion. She silently murmured a prayer, clutching desperately onto her rosary wrapped around her right palm.

She hoped to the immortal Emperor that her beloved would return to her once more unscathed.

Wolfsland, the Western Front, Federal Republic of Giad, April 6th SY 2149

Soot and charred branches cracked emptily under her foot. Her squad ventured through the calcined forest, spread out in a loose formation. The Kasrkins were attached with a platoon of Guardsmen from Fifth Company, tasked with retrieving valuable assets from a downed Vendetta and destroy its remains… and if necessary, the crew as well.

The desolate forest was eerily quiet, a stark contrast with yesterday's fighting. Though aerial reports suggested that the enemy has retreated earlier this morning, the pockets of Legion mayflies that lingered in the sky above them suggested otherwise.

As the Guardsmen crept through the ravaged woodland, they came across several charred corpses of their comrades and Giadian troopers. The carcasses were solidified by the intense heat of Legion napalm barrages, as if frozen in their worst moments, clinging for air or crawling away from the hellish inferno. Most of their heads were missing, suggesting that the Legion didn't waste any time to collect any precious brain matter they came across.

"By Holy Terra…" A Guardsman cussed behind her, "Fraggin' took their 'eads off."

"Eyes front, Guardsman." Sergeant Pavlo berated coldly, "This forest could be booby-trapped."

"Vendetta spotted!" Mons voxed through their carapace helmet.

The platoon hurried over to the crashed heavy gunship. The Guardsmen formed a defensive perimeter while the Kasrkins secured the downed aircraft. The Vendetta has brutally crashed on its right side, the wing clipped off and flew several dozen meters behind. The cockpit took the brunt of the crash, evident by the crumpled nose and smashed in glass canopy of the pilots; no survivors could be found.

Holmes ordered his squad to start planting Melta bombs in and around the aircraft. All of its auger arrays and cogitator banks have been collected and secured.

"Charges planted and set, lieutenant!" Trooper Kerns reported with a thumbs up.

"All right! Let's peel off and…" He abruptly silenced himself when he faintly heard unearthly howling from beyond the forest. Quickly followed by deafening whooshes above their heads.

"AMBUSH!"

Rockets rained all over the platoon. Trees burst into splinters. Mounds of dirt and ash gushed out of the ground. Bodies and limbs were thrown about. Jaëgers and Ameises rushed forward as the Guardsmen are pinned down by the rocket barrage.

"Pull back! Fire and manoeuvre!" Holmes shouted through the chaotic cacophony of explosions and fierce firefight.

"Pull yourselves together and get up!" The Guardsmen's platoon leader angrily hollered, "For Throne's sake! You're Cadians, act the bloody part!"

Emboldened by their officer and the Kasrkins, the Cadian shock troopers got to their feet and braved through the onslaught, laying down sporadic cover fire as they withdrew from the kill zone.

Hekler jumped over a fallen tree and used the thick trunk to support her plasma gun. The super-heated bolts of plasma smashed into any Legion drone that got to close. The energy weapon perforated the lightly armoured machines, their processors and internal parts sizzling and melting.

"Hekler! Go!" Gunther shouted. His hot-shot volley gun poured out fury and vengeance, scything down its preys.

The weapon's Machine Spirit sang gleefully as it dispensed more energy, chewing through the mindless drones. Katra bolted to her feet, sprinting past the downed Vendetta and far from the blast yield. Once everyone was at a safe distance, the Cadians lined up and held their ground, baiting the enemy until they reached past the Heavy Gunship.

"Pavlo, execute!"

The sergeant nodded. He forcefully pushed down on the detonator, sending a light electrical signal into the Melta charges. The ground quaked as the earth lifted. An intense flash washed over the forest instantly. A powerful shockwave clapped thunderously. For several long and agonizing seconds, the temperature rose extremely high, burning everything in its proximity.

Katra felt an invisible force kicking her to the ground, drowned in a sweltering flare. The carapace armour barely prevented her body from being burned to a crisp. Silence reigned in the smoking hellscape of a forest. Mounds of melting scraps of metal littered the piping hot dirt. Any remaining tree in a two hundred meters radius was flattened to its root.

The Kasrkin sluggishly sat up, scanning her surroundings. A couple of other Kasrkins and Guardsmen got to their feet, some were stumbling around, disoriented from the destructive blast. Fear instantly gripped her nerves as she searched for her plasma gun. There was no way that the volatile weapon could withstand such intense heat without igniting itself.

She found the weapon haphazardly strewn out a few feet from her. She hastily crawled towards it. She grabbed the weapon's hydrogen fuel cell and immediately retracted her hand. It was blistering hot. She noticed the faint sizzling and hissing of the accelerator coils as it started to glow intensely.

"Fuck!"

Acting quickly, she forced herself to grab the plasma gun and hurled it further away from the Guardsmen and her fellow Kasrkins.

"Get down!" She yelled as she dove back on the ground, shielding her head.

The plasma gun irradiated fluorescently, hissing vividly, before one of its coils fissured and detonated blazingly, casting a gleaming blue hue all over the forest. Fortunately, the Cadians were spared from the secondary explosion. Katra cautiously perked up and sheepishly gave a thumbs up.

"Can we please cease with the bleeding explosions already?" Mons groaned exasperatedly.

"Gelt, vox Company command and report of the ambush," Holmes instructed stoically, "There could be some vanguards lying in wait."

The lieutenant glanced at the platoon of rattled shock troopers, still dazed by the explosion. Two of them were unfortunately killed in the blast, their remains charred to the bones. He then shifted his head to Hekler, limping to regroup with the rest of the squad. "Corporal, I want an incident report written for damaged equipment. I'll try to get you another plasma gun."

"Thanks, boss…" She nodded tiredly, "Reckon I'll get an ass chewing from the Commissar, aren't I?"

"Yup!" The other Kasrkins replied in unison. She hung her head in defeat.

Arcs Styrie, United Kingdom of Roa Gracia, April 12th SY 2149

Valkyries and Thunderbolts soared over the frozen valley and pine forests of the country's southern frontline. The entire nation was covered by a thick blanket of Eintagsfliege, forever casting a cold shadow and perpetuating winter, killing any chance for the people of the United Kingdom to grow any healthy crops.

A safe flight path was established thanks to the efforts of the Adepts of Mars and the Imperial Navy. Meanwhile on the ground, the Adeptus Mechanicus along with engineers of the Federal Republic of Giad worked tirelessly to expand and install the railway network that would connect the two nations.

General Farestein took a swig from the glass of Amasec while he read through the collected information of the host nation through his dataslate. While not as powerful as Giad in terms of military power, the United Kingdom still holds strong despite frequent food supply shortages and constant lost of manpower. Roa Gracia manages to survive thanks to discipline and sheer grit and will power… something that lacked greatly in San Magnolia.

The only obstacle he sees is in the United Kingdom's government: it is ruled by a monarchy. He had his fair share of Planetary Governor with pretentious self-titles; kings and lords being one of them. Pompous, arrogant, apathetic and disgusting are among the few words to describe these types of governors. They were a huge pain in the ass to deal with, always putting their wealth and interest first. Additionally, the nation has been ruled by the same royal family for over a thousand years. How that family managed to hold that power for so long, he ignored it, but he must convince them to join the Imperium or face the Emperor's wrath.

"Arriving in ten minutes, General." Lieutenant Rose said, her eyes glued on a dataslate as well.

The Cadian general nodded silently. His diplomatic retinue included a Navy officer, a representative of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a Ministorum priest, Commissar Darius and several Giadian officers. Also accompanying him onboard the two other Valkyries were several squads of Kasrkins and Tempestus Scions, just in case the royal family proved to be… unreasonable.

He finished his glass of Amasec as they approached quickly the Royal Palace. He shook the anxiety off his body and mentally prepared to meet the Idinarohk royal family.

Undisclosed territory, location unknown

++ANOMALOUS SUBJECT K-7036 – MALE – AGE 16++

++TEST TO CONVERT SUBJECT'S MATTER TO THE NETWORK – RESULT: FAILED++

++ANOMALY DETECTED - K-7036 SHOWED EXTREME SIGNS OF BRAINWASHING – SUBJECT IS HIGHLY INDOCTRINATED, UNSTABLE AND LACKED SENSE OF SELF-PRESERVATION++

++SUBJECT IS A COGNITO HAZARD – CLASSIFIED INSUITABLE FOR CONVERSION++

….

….

++REQUESTING FURTHER INFORMATION FOR THE FOLLOWING SEMANTICS:

-CADIA-

-IMPERIUM OF MAN-

-THE WARP-

-HOLY TERRA-

-CHAOS-

-GOD EMPEROR OF MANKIND-

++SEARCHING IN WORLD WIDE WEB DATA BASE++

….

….

++SEARCH RESULT: INCONCLUSIVE++

++PROPOSITION: CHANGING MISSION PRIORITY SUB-ROUTINES / PRIORITY 2: CAPTURE OF FURTHER A2 AND A3 CLASS ANOMALIES++

….

….

++APPROUVED++

Author's Note: Salut! Long time no see, update was particularly slow due to my PC having fried itself and losing a lot of my progress... just peachy. Maybe I should pay more attention to this cogitator's Machine Spirit. Anyways, hoped you guys liked the story so far and don't hesitate to leave a review, any help counts. A la prochaine!