+++


He said, "There will soon come a time when I will require from you an extraordinary duty."



I was...stunned.


I would not let the shame I felt deep in my heart to surface. My captain had only to ask and I would give my life for him.



As if reading my mind, he smiled and said, "I know you are faithful beyond a doubt. I know you are dependable. I know you bear hardship, responsibility, and perseverance like a second skin. A time is coming when I will need more."



And then he turned and walked away.



+++



As the commander of Sigismund's Redoubt, my sector's defense was built upon two execution plans.



The first was to hold individual strong points as long as possible. It was recognized that strong points and bastions would eventually
leak through a determined enemy. Roving squads behind the front line would monitor and set ambushes for those forces and eliminate them, re-establishing the line of battle.



When a strong point was no longer tenable, then the in situ forces would stage a fallback to the next defensive position, ensuring
that once in place, the enemy received enough return fire to cause them to consolidate forces for the next push.



At that point, a "Mallus" strike would occur.



While the enemy was consolidating, we would feed heavy Retribution assets to forward positions. Their goal was to physically destroy
the enemy's consolidation point, including those forces preparing to assault, with massive barrages. The resulting conflagration demolished the enemies cover, stole their initiative, and slowed down reinforcements rushing to the front. Executed correctly, even the most resolute attacks were faltering.



However, to no one's real surprise, timing was everything.



+++



"Are you ready? The time is now."



It was a simple question.



He didn't have to identify himself, though I could see his command icon on the vox net. I had been steeling myself for days. Given the current stage of events, it was only a matter of time.



"Where are you my Captain, I shall waste no time..."



My response was cut off by a dry chuckle. "I am standing on top of your turret. I need you to get me to the wall. Now."



I immediately looked up at the ceiling from my command throne as if I could actually see through nearly a meter of ceramite armor and
exclaimed, "I'll be right up..."



Again my response was cut off, this time sharply, "I don't need you up here, I need you in there to ensure I get to the wall. NOW!"



I looked at the pic screens. The path ahead was treacherous at best. The enemy could be seen bounding across streets, slaughtering all before them. In the dust shrouded distance, large dark shadows could be seen prowling. The tactical map did not register their ident codes, causing the codifier to key them threat level "DANGER-RED".



There was only one way this could go. I called out to the drive team, "Engage drive, prepare to advance on my order". Switching to the munitions net, I told the servitors to load a "Siege Penetrator" and be ready to fire upon my word. The sponson servitors received a simple set of instructions, "MOVEMENT = THREAT. PROSECUTE".



Satisfied, I keyed the external vox speakers and piped out one of my favorite battle marches, "Death's Unending Glory" whilst
exclaiming loudly for all to hear...



"Forward! For my captain, for Dorn, FOR THE EMPEROR!"