by Andy Hoare
The situation was only uncovered when the Munitorum demanded a Penal Legion be raised from the population of Alpha Penitentia, to be shipped out to the Finial Sector to combat the uprisings afflicting that region of late. Colonel Strannik, it seemed, had been unwilling to surrender his subjects and must have known that the mutation afflicting so many would have been discovered had he done so.
How many rebel convict-workers would be left for the formation of a new Penal Legion was another question, but one Flint cared very little for. He’d be quite happy if every rebel in Alpha Penitentia was purged as a precaution against the spread of genetic deviancy, regardless of the need to reinforce the Finial Sector.
As Flint handed the slate back to Kohlz the hatch to the observation chamber opened inwards and Graf Aleksis stepped through. ‘That’ll be all, dragoon,’ Flint dismissed his aide.
‘Graf Aleksis,’ Flint nodded, clasping his hands behind his back and turning to look out of the lancet-arched viewport towards the planet below. Another stray thought flashed across his consciousness – just how far removed was Graf Aleksis from the abominable Strannik, genetically speaking? Did the graf harbour any latent mutation or psychic potential?
‘I’ve been expecting you,’ said Flint, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
‘You have read the archives, I take it?’ Aleksis said, taking his place at Flint’s side as he too looked out into the glittering void and the world below. His aristocratic bearing gave him the appearance of power, yet Flint saw the line creasing his brow.
‘I have,’ said Flint. ‘Is there anything you would like to add?’
‘Yes, Commissar Flint. I wish to make something perfectly clear to you in case you are in any doubt. I have made my choice. I have chosen my duty to the Emperor over my duty to my clan.’
‘But?’ Flint pressed, seeing that Aleksis was troubled.
‘But,’ Aleksis continued, ‘There will be a price to pay. For us both.’
‘Then we’re in this together, graf,’ said Commissar Flint as he turned back to the viewport. ‘Whatever price there is to pay, whatever is coming, the 77th Firstborn meets it as one. This regiment is far, far from full combat effectiveness, despite its first victory. Chain of command, morale, discipline – all are in dire need of my attentions. ’
‘Aye, commissar,’ Aleksis answered. ‘The 77th owes you much. It is renewed, redeemed. We stand ready to emulate and to exceed the deeds of our forebears, now the shame of Golan Hole is redressed.’
Let’s hope it is, thought Flint, holding the graf’s gaze for a moment as he considered, then just as quickly rejected, his previous thought regarding the man’s lineage and whether or not he might harbour some hidden genetic corruption.
‘The regiment is as much yours as it is mine.’ Aleksis smiled, adding, ‘Even those ragamuffin penal troopers you insisted on drafting in. I pray we shall all serve together for the glory of Vostroya, and of the Imperium.’
The deck beneath the two men’s feet began to tremble as the Toil of Kossia’s massive plasma generators were stoked steadily up toward full power, unimaginable reserves of energy shunted towards the drives as the vessel prepared for its journey back to the system’s outer jump point. Already, the regiment had received an astropathic communiqué detailing its next deployment. Flint was relieved to note the orders had been delivered via the Departmento Munitorum chain of command, and not the damnable web of intrigue that had resulted in the mess the 77th had just won through.
‘Indeed,’ Flint replied. As the distant roar of the plasma drives steadily grew the final line of one of the Imperium’s most dearly cherished litanies – the Warrior’s Catechism of Worship – came to mind.
‘We ask only to serve…’
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Hoare worked for eight years in Games Workshop’s design studio, producing and developing new game rules and background material for the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 games. Now working freelance writing novels, roleplaying game material and gaming-related magazine articles, Andy lives in Nottingham with his wife Sarah and way too many cats.
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Published in 2013 by Black Library, Games Workshop Ltd., Willow Road, Nottingham, NG7 2WS, UK
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