5 Vol I | Chapter V

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Locked within the solitude of an empty room, where the desk and chairs were bolted into place. The Grenadier who had been stripped of equipment, could only do so much with the limited form of entertainment, or things to be kept busy by. That was except for the long rectangular mirror that nearly took the size of the wall – and staring right back at the korpsman – were the faces; the gas masks, of what he and the others of the regiment wore. Looking intently into it, the Grenadier could picture a dead korpsman who lay murdered on the fields, or a korpsman who sprints on through the wet-mudded no-mans.

The two korpsman who appears vivid in their freeze status, like a picture memory clear as diamond – signified what he; Grenadier 017823-9348 would either be. Alive, as the korpsman who is sprinting, or Dead as the guardsman whose corpse lay still among the many others. Dead, or Alive – until his service is done through death.

"In Life, War. In Death, Peace. In Life, Shame. In Death, Atonement."

Hylric recited the 'Final Litany of the Litany of Sacrifice', to which had been heard through the microphones installed within the room. Upon such shocking and praying words, Kara's expression matched those that had been in the room, like the agents and Alex, whilst J'onn attempted on a failing unfazed look. "This 'Imperium' is dangerous. We need to present this case to the Justice League – As soon as possible." Martian Manhunter responded to the topic the trio had been discussing until the impeccable timing of the recitation of the guardsman.

'Just how cruel can the Imperium be?' Kara wondered hard and long after J'onn had explained what he had seen. That was until she became curious of another thing, what does the guardsman looked like – especially Designated Number 017823-9348. Kara sighs as another thought made her brain rack up reasons. 'Why don't they have names, and choose numbers instead?' Until Kara realizes it has been the next day; the set day the korpsmen would be transported to be presented to the Justice League.

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Forced out the exit of the armored transport vehicle, the Watchmaster had then been dragged against her will, as she offered a solid and aggressive resistance to her captors who kept their grip on her arms like a boa-constrictor. 'Cursed traitorous dogs!' Masha mentally spat as the humans who seemed to be taking orders from the psykers kept her in an iron lock hold as they proceeded further in the building and through its corridors.

It hadn't been until later, when it seemed she has finally reached her destination as through the doors – presented to her were 'people' in various costumes. 'All of them could be Psykers' she warily observed and studied the distinct-able looks and attire of the 'people', while she hasn't ruled out possibility of other potential xenos in disguise as humans. On her walk to the middle as so obviously put, the Watchmaster identified a man who was tallest and muscular; who wore a blue costume and red cape with an insignia of an 'S' at the chest. 'Hmph – An Adeptus Astartes would triumph over the puny man.' The Watchmaster scoffed as she passed by, as she looked onward to the others, whom a woman stood slightly from the rest; with skirt so short, and clothes doing little for cover. 'Perhaps a jungle native.' Masha was reminded of the Catachan Regiment who had spent some time along in a few campaigns before their regiment had been requested elsewhere. But, the Catachan females were respectable warriors and soldiers of the Imperium – However this woman was no Imperial, nor a soldier to the Astra Militarum; Therefore, declaring her as a servant to the Chaos God Slaanesh.

As her boots came to a screeching halt as she had then stopped in the center – looked upon in curiosity and cautiousness – just as it should be. "Who are you?" A low growl of a voice questioned, the demand that is laced with it; apparent. However, the Watchmaster remained unresponsive, and unflinching through the domineering crowd. "Where are you from?" Still, Masha remained unmoving and stubborn as the person in bat-like costume circled around her.

"Imperial Guardsmen, of the Death Korps of Krieg; 107th Siege Regiment, Watchmaster, Designation Number 057299-3287."

The introduction had been thorough, yet simplistic – that based on the certain reaction to it, the Watchmaster deduced that perhaps the planet she is in was a human world that had been disconnected or lost to the Imperium during the 'Age of Strife'. The Dark Age of Technology, also called the 'Age of Technology' had been the period of rapid fundamental advances in science and technology that has first transformed Humanity – into a true interstellar civilization. Which had begun the greatest extent of Human interstellar space exploration and colonization across the galaxy as till the development of the Warp-Drive; That allows "Faster-Than-Light" space travel.

Until the start of an era – the Age of Strife – when massive Warp Storms had cut off interstellar travel and communications across the whole of the Human-settled galaxy and worlds. This Planet, which the Watchmaster was in – could be among the lost.

The man who questioned was quiet, thinking in thoughts perhaps, before he spoke once again. "I see. Then where are you from?" Batman repeated what he had asked, seeing as the soldier was now in a term of speaking. "From the Segmentum Tempestus sector – an Imperial Space Region, located at the Galactic South of the Segmentum Solar." Just as her turn appear to had been used, she continued with a question of her own.

"Where am I, and who are you?" She 'asked' or what could had been taken as 'demand' based on the obvious tone. "You're in a planet; called Earth – which is part of the Solar System, which is in the Milky Ways." As a simple cannon fodder, the Watchmaster's interest and eagerness to learn about the Imperium and its Emperor had not gone unnoticed – when an Inquisitor had witnessed such 'bright soldier' – he had offered her knowledge considered to be a 'big gift' to a normal unimportant guardsman.

Therefore, upon hearing an old term used to name the homeworld of the Emperor of Mankind; Earth – the Watchmaster concluded it to be a deceitful lie, and was prepared to fight all the scum in the room until a man in a green costume spoke up. "Just received a word from the Green Lantern Corps – There is no report of a 'Segmentum Tempestus, nor Segmentum Solar – There is none in existence."

It was a lie, it had to be a lie.

'Has the Emperor fully forsaken us? Is there truly no action that could seek the Emperor to forgive our grievous sins?' the Watchmaster's shoulders slouched as she became tired at a sudden. 'If that is so, I have no more means to live.'

Until bursting through the door was a Grenadier who struggled and fought on still even when in restraints against the men that brought him in. 'Wait… I won't know till I try.' Quick as it returns, both the power and will, as the Watchmaster thought out a plan – to send out a signal to the Imperium – and to do so was to acquire or access a station that is capable of reaching an Imperial vessel, or the Inquisition.

'Should this be a test of my faith – then may it never break, as the Emperor protects.'

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"Korpsman." The Watchmaster called, and caught the soldier's attention who at once stood at attention. "State your designated number, and rank." "017823-9348, Grenadier." The korpsman replied – and upon its verification of the Grenadier and has ruled out the possibility of an imposter – the Watchmaster gave a subtle nod.

"Hey, what is it with the numbers?" Wonder Woman asked towards the Martian Manhunter who stood just beside her – as she assumed like the military protocols on Earth – it applied to the Imperium's military. "As you guessed, IDs." He replied without batting an eye to the gorgeous Amazonian. "Yeah but that long… how come?" "I am not sure myself, but imagine a swarm of ants; all identical – so as I theorize – there is just a lot of them." It may have been just a theory, and assumption, but the idea that it could be facts – just made the magnitude of their situation felt grim. 'Damn… an invasion by this Imperium of such the scale would no doubt be a very costly war… for us." Green Lantern who had overheard worriedly pondered, but it seemed he wasn't the only one who had unintentionally eavesdropped. 'Well we have Superman… but I don't think the Big Blue Guy isn't the hero we can count on in a war… Shit.'

Looking to the 'Korpsmen' as the soldiers were called, Green Lantern took the moment to examine the room – especially the alien heroes that are part of the Justice League – as it has been vividly displayed in a video that has been shown to them before the stars of the stage arrival.

– "Scum! Xeno filth!" The berserk guardsman charged the Martian, who stumbled back as he had his back slammed against the wall, not that it hurt him. "Not only are you a psyker! But a xeno who hides in the pretense as a human!" –

"Moving on to more specific questions – how did you get here?" The man in bat costume continues its conversation with the Watchmaster. "A Psyker – like many of the abhumans and mutants in this room, and possibly more xenos in the midst." Masha spoke in utter distaste that such irregular humans are able to live with such heretic abilities and their unique features, yet the batman ignored the tone and focused instead on the term 'psyker'. "Tell me Watchmaster, who is this psyker?"

"A Chaos servant to the Ruinous Power; the Dark Gods that sought to threaten and enslave Mankind and its Imperium. The Psyker, is empowered by the Warp; his connection to his Dark God – which had allowed him to create a portal in which he had made in a means to escape. In short, we were forced along and now ended here." She finished, until a man who bear an insignia of 'thunder' spoke up. "Wait. So, how many Dark Gods are there?" "Four of which – The Wrathful Khorne, The Devious Tzeentch, The Pestilential Nurgle and Cruel Slaanesh"

The silence that followed foretold the intense intensity within the room's atmosphere about Earth's newfound situation at the possible of potential new threats. The Imperium – should it be as xenophobic and hostile as these soldiers portrays – it would cost both sides tremendous lost; most especially lives. However, the Ruinous Power – is unknown, only that it has been shared by the Imperium Watchmaster's knowledge. But should the Ruinous Power be the Imperium's enemy, then it would be justified to assume that Earth would be its enemy.

'Great! Two sides where either one you pick – could trigger a war on Earth. Splendid!' Flash deeply sighed. "Watchmaster." Batman retained her attention again, "Would Earth be exempt of any xenophobic attempt – if we allowed you free." He struck a bargain, if should the Imperium ever visit their Solar System, just Batman being practical and scheming, and issuing a plan in case.

"I am no important figure, Bat." Masha spoke, calling the man by what his costume suggested. "But – I could put in words that could so." The Watchmaster was reminded of the Inquisitor that she has beknown. "Then Watchmaster, you and your subordinate are allowed free and to catch the Chaos Psyker. While I assign Supergirl, and the Martian to supervise you during your stay on Earth." The Watchmaster was beginning to like the traits the man possessed, displaying what a strategic officer would offer, or a diplomat which were rare, yet such said-traits are valuable to the Astra Militarum – Therefore earning the respect of the Watchmaster. "Understood."

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Dismissed. The Superhero; Martian Manhunter, and Supergirl began to converse. "I don't think Batman thought this through – but I am absolutely not capable and available daily on simply supervising them!" Kara argued, to which J'onn deeply understands as he has seen the Supergirl of National City be day-in and night-out fighting crimes. Though he had been reminded that the Kryptonians don't necessarily feel 'tired', but he supposed mentally-so is the experience Kara was undergoing. "Also! Have you seen the other one – the Grenadier? – I could swear that soldier isn't older than seventeen, and when I found them in the woods, he was inspecting the gun like a Christmas present!" Kara continued on as she exclaimed furthermore, until.

Batman unexpectedly invited himself in as he entered the room, and seeing the famous Vigilante – Batman was simultaneously a bringer of good and bad, as already stated in the Justice League's current predicament. "What is it, Batman?" Supergirl inquired, but received a brief silence in return. 'Urgh! I bet he's thinking and calculating other things as we speak!' Until finally, Batman turns his absent eyes from the obstacles and items within the room and greeted the Superhero. "There's something else we need to discuss."

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"What?!"