Vol II | Chapter III

Author's Announcement

Can I get an "Ave Imperator" in the comment?!

Should it be a satisfactory amount, I might consider publishing an extra chapter in the next update. :)))))) +bargaining level

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

With a loud thud as she crashed to the ground, in immediate reaction the korpsmen tracked the shooter – only to find it immobilized and out of commission from the obvious damage it has withstood.

It was then in the briefest moment, the Watchmaster stood idle and simply looked at the body that was unconscious on the wet dirtied floor; contemplating numerous scenarios that ran in a quick flash.

'Nothing – that is what should be regarded to each korpsmen!'

A past fragment replayed in a split second, yet detailed enough to witness the foggy memories.

'Nothing – except to dedicate your existence, your loyalty, and duty to the; God Emperor of Mankind!'

The surrounding was a wasteland, with no sign of hopes of life; just like a life without the Emperor would be when compared. The terrain bore no soil, the atmosphere clouded with unbreathable air, and water in ponds or lake that remained were contaminated with toxic chemical;

The condition of the Death World of Krieg

Standing before the sad and tragic scene of their homeworld, the fresh recruits were armed and their equipment strapped. On the other end were those the same, but with poor weapons and equipment, as obvious as their physical conditions – defects – those unfortunates born with missing limbs and other disabilities.

The defects only ever hope to be of use; to serve as 'living exercise targets' for the recruits to use live ammunition.

Then a whistle blew and the training commenced, only ever ending until all the defects have all been terminated, and fulfilled their purpose to train humanity's defenders.

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

'It burns! Argh! It hurts!' Alex's mind screams in agony as she slowly comes awake from her unconscious state. 'Urgh… I feel drowsy…' her mind proved uncooperative as her coordination in her balance was nowhere close to being stable just yet, as she soon stumbled back to the ground where she rests.

'W-where am I?' she wanted to know and see, but the difficulty in keeping her eyes open from shutting proved a tremendous task. 'Damn… I must be too weak from the loss of blood-" until suddenly a pair of gloved hands tended to her wounds – instinctively making Alex flinched at the touch and pain that cursed through her body.

Not long later, the caring and delicate hands retreated and the person pulled away. 'That was Masha?' Alex debated until she settled that it could be as she remembered the time Alex had assisted in the surgery on Kara.

"Judging from the patch on her wound and her state – she'll be alright"

Nick commented as he inspected the great work in addressing the injury. "Well that is good news-" Sandra began before she was interrupted at the sight of the korpsmen leaving.

"Hey! Where are you both going?!" The former marine called out, but despite her stern voice, it had no effect on the troopers.

"Probably to finish the mission – the Watchmaster informed me – so I'll be going with them to keep an eye. Meanwhile, keep the Director safe marine."

Unable to refute, even if she could – their mission was a priority.

"Roger that, asshole."

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

As the soldiers further ventured in without the Director and Sandra; Nick silently followed the Watchmaster's lead as dark smoke began to pollute the hallways and considerably the whole area.

'It seems like we're getting closer – depending on how thick the smoke is'

Now attached to the Watchmaster, he began to act on every instruction, every order she have given; accompanied by the grenadier who mimicked the orders. It disclosed a piece of information about how the Watchmaster operates, how perhaps the Imperium's Astra Militarum operated, he assumed. But that would be put to the test on just how the guardsmen handled a threat;

At the sudden occurrence of yet more endless ambushes, Nick found it odd when he realized that the Watchmaster never spoke a word to take cover. A rather simple alarm to alert friendlies would be a go-to in every military, yet 'why' he questions the Watchmaster never uttered a word.

Another observation he made as the gunfight continued, was that other than giving strategic order, the korpsmen were quiet as could be – not vocal on their status, positioning, and situation.

It was almost like any form of advantage to be taken, was ignored all over. That information and consequences came second, and the first foremost priority was to eliminate the enemy ahead.

Not long after the battle ended, he emerged from his cover as he approached to reunite with the unit. Until he mindlessly spoke, mentioning the android's appearance as being mildly similar to a robot he had seen in a movie.

"Necrons" the grenadier started before the korpsman simply left it like that, leaving the confused lieutenant to wonder;

"Necron-what now?"

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

In pursuit to accomplish their mission, the unit finally arrived on the scene.

Androids guarded every nook and cranny, leaving no room untouched or left any chances to be infiltrated. 'Damn this will be harder than it already is!' Nick situated as he scanned all the androids that were roaming all over the place.

"Lieutenant Nick – advice to remain concealed as possible, until your exposure; our weapons will be waiting till then to provide cover."

In a retrospective, to what Nick had earlier claimed prior before, at least when it comes to an outside force; the Watchmaster was at least considerate enough to vocalize the strategy she had in mind.

"Copy that"

Vaulting and pushing from the last cover to the next, gradually the lieutenant made it as he slammed his back against the large old rusted structure – the source of all the androids; the machinery – that despite being nearly at the end reach it possessed a fury to still be capable in producing the hundreds.

Successful in planting the explosive, he began to get a move on until he had been exposed. However, at once pop-shots eliminated the hostiles closest to him; giving him the chance to make a daring escape to take cover.

'That was some fine marksmanship!' he regarded to his own compliment to the korpsmen – impressive.

"Charges have been activated, let's get the fuck out of here!" Nick screamed from the top of his lungs as he made it back to the Watchmaster and Grenadier, before pulling back with them to meet with Alex and Sandra.

In sprinting haste, the lieutenant leaned to his radio strapped to his shoulder pad. "Sandra, do you copy?" he spoke as he ran until he received a positive response. "Explosives are set. Get the Director ready – we're moving in hot to your location. Over."

"Roger, over and out!"

'I should take my cardio seriously again because this is just ridiculous!' the bearded man exclaimed in jealousy as he sprinted along with the troopers who ran like feathers with their overall gears.

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

As Intense gunfight ensues as the reunited team began plans to escape the death factory – but not without facing the determined androids that were fast approaching on all sides.

The situation became much more troublesome when the grenadier had been forced to relieve his weapon and instead been ordered to assist Sandra to handle the Director by supporting her other side. Shameful to state, the Grenadier had to just ease the burden – and solely carried Alex at his back.

As the unit rush to the exit, Nick took out the detonation charges as his thumb hovered over the red button. "Detonate it" a voice weak and tired ordered as it came from the woman being carried. "You don't have to tell me twice!" and with the press of the button;

The whole target site exploded.

It wasn't long until their moment of watching the scenery burn, a static radio wave transmitted a message – "National City is under attack. All available units, report to the D.E.O headquarters immediately!"

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸