Ch-1 Promethean Fumes and Bolter Oil
 
>Kreiger 88B, #8274
>8274 for short
>I am the Flamer operator
>I’m the man with the explosive tank of Promethium strapped to my back
>it’s a comfortable job
>it never gets cold
 
>Be, Me
>8274
>we have been deployed, Finally
>the majority of the engineers have already begun breaking earth
>the main infantry is to begin on digging in company barracks
>our Company commander tells us to start digging
>and so we do
>the planets stoney, dry clay like surface making it miserable work
>unlike it
>misery loves company... and there were many of us here
>8744 and 8703 were going at it again
>flinging the shirt clay at each other as they began in exanding and deepening the foxhole
>it was all in good fun
>it wouldn’t be for a few more weeks that we would have any orders
>time passed.. slowly
>nothing seemed close by
>the reports we were told said of chais cultists and all sorts of Emperor damned horrors
>enough heresy to warrant raising an army of kreigers almost as big as that that which attacked Vraks 
>and yet, here I sat, cleaning and re cleaning the nozzle on my Flamer
>using a metal toothed brush to break away all the dark black carbon
>leaving only the metal beneath
>I loved my job
>love... I don’t know what that means
>not really
>i love digging trenches.. I love hard work... I love burning things with my Flamer
>love... I think I heard that word from a Cadian...
>he’s probably dead now... the lucky bastard
>our entire Company was called to stand as a welcome to the newest arrivals to the now sprawling citadel we had erected
>I’d angled my head just well enough to see  the Ships break the clouds
[1:55 AM]
>as they drew in closer and closer the clear outline of not one, not two, not five, but 6 Aquila landers
>and what was within them?
>one was packed to the brim with Sororitas Grade heavy weapons and supplies
>two whole other landers were dedicated to Sister support staff
>including almost two dozen sisters Hospitaliers
>as the rest of them filed out
>one of them seemed to stand out
>not showing her face
>enclosed completely in her power armor
>a Combibolter in hand
>a Flamer combi bolter
>a woman of taste
>we were rather unceremoniously tasked with moving all the sororitases shit to their “Area”
>myself primarily taking charge of the obscene amounts of Sactified promethium they brought along
>you could drown an entire city in the shit
>that was when I first ran into the sister
[1:55 AM]
>unlike her counterparts she seemed to stay somewhat distanced
>watching them as much as us
>she was lingering among the effects as I passed by
>she was doing something on a data slate
>reading?
>she caught my glance and held it in an iron gaze
>stopping me in my tracks
>that was the first time I’d looked into Sister Antonias eyes
>but something about the way the thunder cracked within the grey thunder clouds of her eyes told me it would not be the last
>as we finished moving their shit, the sisters cover into their barracks
>a reinforced dug out Barca’s we had dug for... important personnel
>we didn’t stick around long
>returning to our posts
>waiting
>hungry for something.. anything to try us now that we’d sunk in
>we even had artillery emplacements now
>nearly 4 dozen Basalisks spread though the citadel
>and one more thing
>a honest to the emperor Death strike Nuclear payload delivery device
>the sister in charge apperently was the one who had the codes for it 
>several long nights of no action passed
>it was my turn to begin working on the trench drains
>it was simple, hard work
>I was enjoying myself
>up until i bumped ass first into a group of sisters
>specifically the helmeted sister
>Antonia
>I haven’t been listening before
>but by how the three other sisters seemingly cornered her in the bend of the trench it seems unpleasant 
>”Guardsman.. what are you doing out here?” The largest of the three sisters asked
>though, even the shortest was a head taller than me
>I simply pointed to the drain I was digging with my shovel
>the woman seemed... mightily displeased
[1:55 AM]
>the three of them locked onto the silent helmeted sister
>”Don’t worry.. we will get to you later, when we have time to talk all on our own”
>they stormed off in a seemingly awkward huff
>taken aback by how I’d returned to task as soon as their eyes left mine
>the emperor hates Idle hands that should be at task
>it took me a while to realize the other sister was still there
>watching me oddly
>reading the identification numbers off my shoulder armor
>”thank you, for that”
>the words hung in the air fir a moment 
>I stood and cracked my back slightly 
>looking to her and nodding simply
>my lips opening to speak as nothing came out
>a long drawn out breath
>then they closed 
>the sister simply stood and stared
>even as I went back to work
>watching as I dug the bear mile of drain till the sun came out and I was restated back to my barracks for sleep
>it’s weird..having someone watch you while you dig
>I did not.. love it?
 
Ch-2 “Encounter”
>the command grapevine speaks of battles already starting, and hellish engagements
>on the opposite side of the planepnqy
>in the Sphere of our side of the world, nothing
>even when we began taking on long range patrols, within the range of our emplaced guns, we found nothing 
>what we did find were several dozen disjointed villages
>but even there, nothing
>the sisters that had come along with us unloaded from the rhino and spread out over the last village
>I thought not to bother even unloading from the Taurox
>these people, they were odd
>the elders treated us, not just the sisters, with respect
>saluting to our commanders and offering meals to the rest of us
>even their children’s didn't shy away
>as I dropped down onto the hardened clay surface I drew a deep breath
>not bothering to ignite the Pilot light of my Flamer
>something was different about this patrol was different
>Sister Antonia was here with us
>her and the three sisters from a week ago
>she’d been... observing... me whenever I did tasks
>I didn’t mind, I simply found it odd that a sister would take an interest in a guardsman digging a latrine, or a forward foxhole
>something was sprouting in my mind
>the order to spread out and look around sealed it it
>a stab of curiosity took me
>I watched as Antonia wandered toward the southern section of the large village, nearly a town, and I followed
>not I wasn’t breaking my orders
>merely assisting the sororitas in her duty’s
>or so I told myself
>eyes scanning though the front windows of a few shops
>nothing stood out
>even though my respirator a smell, faint as it was wafted in
>fresh cooking bread
>one of the larger buildings was a baker
>it’s windows open as well as it’s door
>standing within was what seemed to be a simple family
>a flock of small children playing upon the porch
>some kind of game played with steel ball bearings.. or glass marbles
>we had a game like that in the barracks
>played with polished knuckle bones though
>it took me a while, watching the children play the game and distracted by the smell to realize the sister was.. seated.. within the bakery
>a warm loaf of bread placed before her with a couple jars of brightly colored jams
>fruits? In this climate
>it was a surprise for me
>we’d seen stubborn plants shoot from the Stoney clay, but not any fruit trees
>the sister gave them a nod, her helmet still affixed
>they gave a proud bow and stepped away
>approaching me now
>stepping out into the porch 
>the first thing I noticed about the two of them was the husband
>eyes a dark purple, his face a map of scars
>his arm and leg on the right side replaced with what looked like military augmedics
>a native Cadian
>the Cadian spoke as he noticed my gaze
>”yes, I was there when Cadia Broke, they just managed to shove me into a her and break atmosphere, watched the planet go, it was glorious”
>he looked to his kids and to his wife
>then back to me
>”do you wish to sit inside, they must be running you lot ragged, I know you kriegers take your trench building serious, come on in, I’ll get you a loaf and some Recaff
>I wasn’t enticed by the bread
>but the mention of recaff drew me in like honey on a trap
>as I stepped in the floor creaked lightly
>the sister shifting her body weight upon a strained chair, looking at me
>she gave a simple wave
>then motioned to the chair before her
>the Chadian gave a nasally snort and judged me with his elbow
>knowing something I didn’t
>”go on and take a seat guardsman, ill be right out with your gubbins”
>on another becoming of the sister I sat across from the sister
>it was clear the bread had been fallen upon by someone
>the hard crusted loaf cracked open, the soft insides eaten
>we shared a simple silence as she grabbed another piece of the bread, this time the hard crust
>she held it in her hands and looked at me
>quietly she reached up and pressed something beside her helm
>causing it to release with a hiss 
>pulling it away I was able to put a face to the stormy eyes
>a singular, deep scar crossed her face
>healed well, but yet noticeable
>was that why she wore the helmet?
>her hair was Snow White, like the other sisters, yet hers was short cut, managed well for the helmet, her lips seemed curled into a smile as she looked at me
>pleased at my reaction? My non reaction
>she spoke up quietly
>chewing on the hard crust and setting her intense stare upon my mask
>on me within it
>”Guardsman... I see that your regiment never take off your masks why so? We’re someone to order you to doff them, would you?”
>I was caught by surprise, realizing I’d been cornered somehow
>I contemplated my answer, waiting for the man to leave after leaving my recaff
>I simply looked at the warm bread and wondered
>clearing my throat
>”it is the way of the regiment, our mask keeps us alive on krieg” I said
>she smiled hearing my voice, even though the modulator in the mask
>her next question was easier to answer
>”whatever a commander asks will be followed, without question”
>that caused her to raise an eyebrow
>sitting back in the chair and thinking
>”guardsman, Take off your mask”
>I hesitated
>and spoke
>”is that an order?”
>she laughed a quiet chuckle and nodded
>”it is guardsman.. are you going to disobey it?” Her eyes settled into the steel cold grey
>her arms crossing over her chest and a eyebrow raising 
>I’d never even ordered to remove it
>why would I?
>what if a gas attack?
>air quality
>”im waiting guardsman, i gave you your orders”
>I bit back a sigh and drew a deep breath
>taking off my helm and grasping the mask firmly
>it released with a pop
>the air cold upon my skin
>the sweat that had formed around the seal cold on my skin
>she smiled wider now
>”hm, guess what they say is true, behind every monstrous mask is a Human visage”
>she leaned forward and looked at my bread
>”you should eat guardsman, I know they’ve been feeding you that filth they have in standard rations”
>it was curious
>why did she care?
>she was a strange one
>I didn’t move
>reaching instead for the cup of hot recaff
>though her hand fell atop of it before I could move it
>”I said eat Guardsman, this is now an order”
>instinctually I let go of the cup of recaff, instead shifting to the bread
>I wasn’t hungry..
>the smell rising from the bread now filling my nose
>it smelled.. nice
>like fuel for the taurox.. or explosives
>I complied
>taking the bread and splitting it
>a new wave of scents filled my nose as the soft flaming interior radiated warmth
>even through the thick flame trooper gloves I could feel it
>I was lost in the myriad of senses, it took me a few bites to realize I was eating
>a new hunger in my stomach
>the sister leaning back in her chair once more
>smugly smiling
>”Good boy”
 
Ch-3 “Reassignment”
>it’s been about a week or so since the sister trapped me in that bakery
>she had ended up ordering me to eat quite a bit
>a full meal
>after that, she talked
>going on and on about the glories if the emperor and service in the Sororitas
>it was nice
>since then she’s been... Prowling
>it feels.. wrong, calling it that
>but I often feel like an animal waiting to be swooped down upon
>and now it wasn’t just her
>the trio of other Sororitas, the one from the other night had seemingly singled me out fo the faceless crowd
>it doesn’t help that I have my numbers in my shoulder armor
>on the bright side, he wave a little change of scenery
>moving out into the villages
>apparently between high command and the sister, the leaders have agreed to Turning into a fortified town state
>with who else to build their new fortifications than us
>it was fun
>and the locals loved it
>I was shifted to that town we were in before
>the one with the nice bakery
>the locals were warm, welcoming
>some of the larger homes offered up entire basements to some of us
>an nice older woman had actually offered to put up my group in her basement as well
>offered the Sergeant, if we could call him that, a room for himself
>of course that was, kindly as we could, declined
>but we had a pre made hole
>we went about expanding it of course
>this woman had opened her home to us, and even provided actual warm meals
>I was the one digging out front and making a extension to the tunnel and trench system when she came out to talk
>well, talk and me listen
>”Oh it’s so nice to have a group of you boys in the house.. it’s been so lonely since Old bill passed, and the boys shipped off years ago, Emperor knows where they are”
>she rambled in about how they were likely hero’s of the imperium, or something
>I didn’t want to tell her that this place hasn’t had a living regiment of guard left for almost 20 Terran years
>after a while she just sat and rocked in her seat
>the silence was far from long lived though
>a shadow had begun to loom over me
>in quite the literal sense
>”you’ve been dodging me guardsman”
>the unmodulated voice of Sister Antonia filled my ears
>somewhere inside of me, a small curse escaped
>”I see this nice woman has put you up in her house that is kind of her is it not”
>I gave a firm nod as she walked over the Flak board bridge that made a walkway to the front door
>”Ah hello Ma’am, your the Matriarch of this home?”
>that’s when the jabbering really started
>the old woman went on and on to the sister
>for a moment she was, taken aback, by the woman’s sickening sweetness and kindness
>within a few moments she was seated in a rocking chair, with a cold drink in her hand
>a surprised look on her face as she looked down into the trench
>”a lively woman that one hm?”
>I looked up and gave a nod
>trying my hardest to avoids straying far from my duty’s
>”you should ease up, I’m not going to bite your head off.. you interest me Guardsman, it’s simple enough”
>I didn’t bother looking up
>something told me, no matter my prayers the shovel would turn into a siege drill and bore my way out of this
>”you keep going under this sun guardsman, and you’ll catch heat stroke, that’s no way to serve the emperor, from a cot”
>that did it
>a momentary slip
>I buried the shovel hard in the ground and stood straight up
>glaring at the woman for a moment
>her typical grin stretched wide across her face
>”I’m only telling you the truth... come, sit here” she took a sip of what I assumed was tea “That is an order”
>and, like the good soldier I was I
climbed out, and into the porch, standing just within the shade
>my great coat was caked in dust and broken clay
>it was hot
>but not unbearably so
>”I take it compared to a standard trench bunker, this woman’s basement is like a pleasure world brothels bed”
>I shrugged
>It was no way to respond to an officer
>especially one who now openly wore her bolt pistol
>she smiled 
>”well I hope you haven’t gotten too comfortable... your commissar, I had a chat with him you see, he’s been telling about how you’ve been... Under preforming”
>oh emperor no
>”so, instead of disciplinary action, I gave him a proposition...” she stop and smiled, pointing to the chair beside her
>”Sit” she commanded rather effortlessly
>”from this day forwards, you my dear guardsman are acting as my... shall we call it Muscle”
>she could probably pick me up and rip me in half
>something she had mentioned before
>why the other sisters disliked her
>why she seemed so damn odd
>I could see it now, proudly pinned to her chest
>a Junior Inquisitors Rosette
>Junior Inquisitor Antonia, not sister
>I was afraid that this was going to happen
>”you will become... the soul member of my retinue for now, that means, pack your things your coming with me.”
>she took pleasure in the surprised stare
>in the vague anger I tried to repress 
>her large hand tilting back my head and running her fingers though my hair
>frozen in an almost stunned trance as she leaned in close
>”I’ll teach you how to be a Good guardsman, and, once that’s done you can come back... but until you start acting like a model Guard, I’ll have to keep you”
>I heard one of the men come out
>his eyes scanning over me and the inquisitor
>the second his eyes hit the rosette he stepped back into the house 
>there would be no victory today
>only the warm touch of the sister on my head, her fingers cooling themselves in my hair
>”now go be a good boy and pack up your things, it’s a bit of a jog to the Sororitas quarters”
 
Ch.4 “the Sisters Barracks”
>to say that Junior Inquisitor Antonia was weird would be an understatement 
>she was, as all sisters were, zealous to a fault
>but she was a member of the Ordo Hereticus
>and that made here EXTREMELY curious
>and that led her to me
>she explained to me as I sat in the over sized cot in the , for now, empty sororitas barrack
>I would become her personal... aide... in hopes of providing her with understanding of not just guardsman but Kreigars in specific
>”you Krieger men..  you show such a lovely zeal.. and especially you Flame troopers. It’s curious... so I’ve chosen you for my retinue”
>that was all I wanted to hear
>I’d heard of some sisters becoming “unhinged”
>barracks story’s from when we’re we’re joint forces with Cadians 
>sisters involving themselves with guardsmen
>I opened my mouth to say something but she went on
>coming uncomfortably closer
>”I will remind you...the other option is..” she rested a large hand on my head
>my helmet having been removed when I entered
>her gauntlet ruffling the short buzz cut hair
>”is you can go to the commissar... who has a report of you being underperforming... you decide”
>she winked
>clear as day
>what followed was a sigh
>and a sag as the cot bent inward slightly
>her large frame falling beside me
>the slight tilt pulling me toward her
>”I never did thank you properly for that first night... sisters can be... mean... with one another, though we thankfully do not air our laundry among company”
>I shrugged
>she went on and on
>taking my silence for some sort of silent acceptance 
>she went on about how she never wanted to be a junior inquisitor
>She wanted to simply serve until she could please the emperor with her works
>or die gloriously
>I let out a slight approving grunt at that involuntarily
>she... really.. liked that
>she tapered off after a while
>an arm looping over my shoulder
>holding me tight
>”so... Trooper”
>her tone had shifted
>the familiar air of command falling in where the warmth of the story telling was before
>”there’s a task for you.. we will need a... Private Barracks, for the works of the Ordo, now I’m no trench digger.. but you are known for it. I want you to build something accommodating enough for two or three... when you are done.. or night falls report here... and I’ll see to your shall we call them improvements”
>her smile was a carnivorous one
>like a tyranid staring at a helpless grox
>I didn’t even bother sighing
>saluting her
>to her amusement
>and shuffling off
>the feeling of her eyes upon me was clear up until I turned the corner
>shuffling off to find where to begin the digging of our “Barracks” as she called it
>likely a place where she could take advantage of me... without interruption by her fellow sisters
>it made me feel... odd
>I let a silent prayer to the emperor escape my lips as I found an abandoned building with a basement
>it would serve... as a basis for what I would begin to work on.. for now