Frozen Tundra

Weather: Light Blizzard, Calm Winds
Predicted Temperature: -47˚C

The drop-ship’s doors slowly opened with the hiss and creak of hydraulics. Sergeant Andre Malicov was sitting atop a Chimera transport as the cold rush of winter wind blew into his face. The feel of the frigid air comforted the young officer. Anything was better than the stench of an Imperial starship.

The armored vehicle slowly rolled down the loading ramp and made its way into the parade ground where the 43rd Valhallan battle group was rallying.

The entire hive was stirring. When the news of the battle group’s arrival had reached the multitudes, the masses asked the universal question. Why?

Andre found it somewhat fortunate that the Governor decided to keep the recent news from cities like Dothen and Sarasita secret. What has arrived on Valetron was unspeakable, and there was fear of a mass panic if the civilian population found out.

But in the end they would find out eventually, whether the Governor wished it or not.

Andre had to admit. Hive Lashvowe was impressive with its towering structures and gargantuan factories that were forever dedicated to the Imperial cause. Tall smokestacks churned out grey, endless spires of smoke that reached high into the upper atmosphere.

Crowds in the thousands lined the streets watching the convoy of Imperial vehicles roll by.

All had a look of worry and surprise on their faces.

The Chimera came to a stop and the sergeant hopped off, his boots making a loud crunch as he landed on a tall mound of snow. The Chimera door opened and a dozen soldiers slowly walked out of the hatch.

“Form up!” He called out, “Parade stance, on the double!”

The guardsmen lined up into two neat, uniform lines. The sergeant passed between them. All of them were seasoned veterans and they had seen their share of bloodshed. Fighting the archenemy was not an unfamiliar feat.

Up in front was the distinct shape that made up the regiment’s pride: the Lucius-pattern baneblade Crusius. Colonel Dimitri Komivosky was sitting inside his turret-mounted cupola, his loud-speaker blaring.

“Sons and daughters of Valhalla, we have been sent here on a task we are more than capable of achieving!”

There was a loud responsive cheer from the assembled soldiers.

“The wretched archenemy has laid their stained feet on the precious ground of this forge-world, and it is our duty to cleanse this planet of their wretched stench! This is not the first time we have faced the forces of darkness eye to eye! Go forth my comrades! And make the motherland proud!”

A long, resonating war-cry was the 126th’s response.

Andre was not one of those cheering. He had studied the Iron Warriors. And he was almost certain this would be a bloodbath.
________________________________________
Hannah Scarbrough sat inside a Chimera, her hand holding her oversized helmet to her head. She was a brand new trooper. Fresh from the training grounds of Valhalla, and there was no need to say that she was nervous.

Although she had graduated top of her class back home, there was no real way to train oneself for actual combat. But something deep inside her told her she needed to serve in the guard...

The Chimera hit a bump and her lasgun tumbled out of her lap. She cursed under her breath. Hannah bent down in her seat to reach for it and her helmet fell off her head as she did so. Embarrassed she rigidly sat up against the seats back.

“You a greenie?”

Hannah turned her head to the trooper that was seated next to her.

“Are you a greenie?” She asked again.

Hannah nodded slowly.

“I figured,” She smiled a kind smile, “Talila Agros.” She extended her hand to Hannah.

The young trooper reluctantly shook it.

“Don’t worry!” Talila said, “You nervous?”

Hannah nodded again.

“Relax! I remember when I was a greenie. When I made planetfall I pissed myself. I can tell you haven’t done that, so you’re doing fine so far. Well, better than me at least!”

Hannah smiled lightly. That’s when she took the effort to look at her fellow squad mates for the first time. She was surprised to see that the majority of them were women, except for three men who made up the heavy and special weapons troopers.

All of them were smiling, “She’s right! Relax. You’ll do fine.”

“Are you a drinker?” Asked Alisa Graham, the squad’s sanctioned sniper.

“No.” Hannah responded.

Alisa chuckled, “Oh, well, we’ll have to fix that now don’t we?”

The others laughed.

Mina Foren, the squad’s sergeant patted Hannah’s shoulder, “Don’t worry. If you stick with us, you’ll be fine. I guarantee you that between all of us; we’ve seen plenty of shit!”

Mina spent the next several minutes introducing every squad member formally to her. There was Ivan, the special weapons officer who carried the plasma gun. Kristof and Josef were the heavy weapons men and they operated an autocannon. Alisa: the sniper, Talila: the demolition expert, Alexa: a sharpshooter, Marie, and Cally.

Hannah smiled again.

“What’s your name by the way?”

“Hannah. Hannah Scarbrough.”
________________________________________
Andre sat quietly in his room, his journal was open and he was writing to the light of a dying lantern. His chainsword and laspistol sat idly on his bunk. There was a bottle of amasec on the desk he sat at.

He put down the pen and sat back into his chair, sighing.

Although the young sergeant was now a battle-hardened veteran, he didn’t feel like it. Images of his fallen comrades and killed friends seemed to be watermarked into his brain. He was honored by the sudden promotion, but it was unwelcome.

Andre reached for the bottle of amasec and took a sip.

Cassadore was a disaster. Yes, they had achieved victory, but not without tremendous losses. The majority of the 126th was killed, and Andre was only one of several dozen troopers who originally landed on the planet

The sight of his friend Victor replayed in his mind. They were running for cover when He was hit with something. Andre pulled him behind the nearby wall and watched in horror as Victor was eaten alive from the inside-out by particle size insects.

He prayed to the Emperor that he would never have to fight the tyranids again.

Biting claws, sharp teeth, acidic saliva...

There was a knock on the door that startled him.

“Come in.”

“Sergeant, it is time.”
________________________________________
Hannah had spent the majority of her down time examining her lasgun and making sure the weapon was clean in every aspect. Mina and the rest of the squad had gone out to party, only Talila and she had remained.

The demolition expert had been quietly working at her desk for the past several hours. Hannah hadn’t tried to talk to her; Mina had warned her that Talila got angry easily when she was working.

She heard Talila sigh, “By the Emperor’s name...”

Hannah turned to her, “You need help?”

“No, I just need a break.”

Hannah got up from her seat and sat next to her, “Talila, did you serve on Cassadore?”

She slowly nodded, “One of the few original members of the regiment remaining. I landed on the planet when we first mustered out and I was lucky to leave. I’ll tell you, pray to the Emperor you never face tyranids.”

“How’d you pull through?”

“Faith, I guess. Hope.”

“I see what the problem is.”

“What?”

Talila hadn’t noticed Hannah pick up the charge, “You see, this connection is mis-wired. If you put this link here, it fixes your problem.”

She took the charge from her and examined it, “Throne, you’re right! Where’d you learn to do that?”

“Before I enlisted I worked in a factory back home making demolition charges and lasguns.”

There was a knock on the room door. Mina poked her head inside, “Guys, you ready? It’s time to go.”