Vol III | Chapter X

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

With steady breathing as the guardsmen scoured the area – inside and outside – the cabin for lurking hidden enemies, after a short while it became clear that it was a desolate place. Yet, although empty of any occupant it was obvious that there were signs of life. Which also brought a stroke of luck since it barely hinted at it being an Ork or an Eldar architecture, and instead, it was by human standards.

Signaled by the guardsman inside that have accompanied the Watchmaster, the grenadiers outside began to push along the snow that have over a short time have risen to fully swallow their boots making it twice hard to simply move. It was a miracle that through the hazardous terrain and weather hell-bent on making them its latest victim to its wrath. It would seem against through the fatigue, aching legs, and reopening wounds that a mere weather could possibly overcome a squad of already-exhausted grenadiers.

No. That was unlikely. Especially when the world's atmosphere was rich with clean oxygen as opposed to the Death World of Krieg. The weather and terrain the guardsmen were trained and equipped to survive in. A gas that could kill a person due to its atmospheric condition, no. Therefore, it was without a doubt that these men of the 107th would survive something as trivial as a mere weather.

But that did not mean the guardsmen and the Watchmaster were dumb-witted to take on the chance to prove that no mere weather could kill them. That would be a shameful, dishonorable, and wasted death.

"Those that could still stand on their feet – choose among you to take the shift and decide the rotation." The woman sounded just as cold as the snow that rained heavily on them, and her voice with every bit piercing as the ice penetrated through their clothes.

With the orders heard and an order to keep the grenadiers occupied, the Watchmaster went on to investigate the cabin further as she inspected the furniture and whatnot. Throughout her little inspection, she concluded multiple options. The planet could be under Imperium control, most likely a hive world. But that meant that it could also be an infested hive world controlled by corrupted heretics. Yet both cases led to their objectives and that is to contact the Imperium and notify what transpired on that planet of Jules;

The hive world and an armory world – having fallen to the servants of Chaos.

Although a loss of a single world may not be a grand cut, it was, if it was an industrial world that focused on the production of armored tanks, vehicles, and aerial vessels. Although as nothing but a guardsman, and that it hardly affects them. Unlike other guardsmen regiments, the Death Korps were a zealous bunch, and to produce failure – it makes them despair at the thought of disappointing the Emperor and possibly failing his Imperium.

Furthermore, what were the chances of traitorous Space Marines to raid the armory world of its weaponry, supplies, and battle tanks and aircraft. The idea simply makes the Watchmaster cringe, but it was what had occurred in which they have failed to prevent.

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It must have been after some time before the Watchmaster succumbed to sleep as she slept soundly seated on the stairs of the porch, overlooking the area in which it was facing – to the densely populated forest and its fog that was gradually fading over time as the blizzard past. Yet the icy cold temperature remained just as cold if not worst.

The cold bite and gnawed at her skin despite the heavy trench coat she wore, but aside from that it was okay, and that she seemed to enjoy the outdoor weather while her mind played her memories. Different scenes on different planets. The various environments, taught her how to take advantage. The types of enemies, she's learned to effectively kill.

But all that it had in common for a lesson learned, was paid by scars and countless bones that's been broken and healed. She could still feel the wounds as though they were fresh and the pain that came with them. But it's the scars that remain as a reminder. Unconsciously, her finger traced the scars hidden beneath the cloth. Her finger memorized the parts without even looking – as she sat asleep with arms crossed.

Until she drifted back awake, having surely spent no longer than what she needed to be able to endure the next hours or so on the move. It was a surprise, she never flinched when she had these dreams, maybe it just doesn't have an effect anymore. Regardless, she pushed herself to a stand before she began to rouse the soldiers awake – either with a tap on their shoulder or a knock on their helmet – the soldiers stirred awake while those who were on guard shift were already on their feet;

Prepared to hike through the snowy mountainous forest.

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

Wally West has run to Siberia, to the Puleski Institute, hoping to convince the only person that could save his friend, Jerry McGee – Speed Demon – an enemy of Flash. Although an enemy, the scientist Jerry McGee was originally a scientist at S.T.A.R Labs, until his mental instability and obsession with his work drove him to destroy his marriage;

Which further made him spiral out of control, and became bent on revenge.

But despite all the destruction he has done and the injuries he's inflicted on others, fortunately, nothing more was done than just broken buildings and several severe injuries. Also, Jerry was still a friend to Wally and he would do anything to save him if he had anything he could do about it.

With incredible speed, like any speedster, Wally slipped through the base as he did with Dr. Bortz's mansion as he finally found Doctor Pytor Orloff.

◹][◸ ~ Astra Militarum ~◹][◸

Author's Thoughts

I know some may say that the guardsmen of Krieg are emotionless. But I digress since I believe they do have emotions. It's just that they're far too professional to let it show. Of course, I'd have comments say that these are my version, so they're not canonically like the canon. Yes. I can't combat that. However, I got some that say and provide otherwise.

Reddit, 3 yrs ago, r/40kLore Posted by u/IamTheFulcrum, How "Human" is the Death Korp of Krieg?

r/40kLoreu/OneofTheOldBreed, replied.

Its...complicated. Siege of Vraks (their debut into WH40k) they have names and personalities. Discplined stoic and fatalistic, but still very much human.

In Warriors of Ultramar, a Kreiger has a nervous conversation with Captain Ventris and comes across as very human despite their near unbreakable resolve in battle.

A recent anthology (Heroes and Tyrants?) A MIApKIA kreiger trys to integrate into the civilian populace in aftermath of a cult uprising. Again cold, stoic and culture shocked, but still a human being.

Sandy Mitchell also invokes the cold stoic and fatalistic but human angle in For the Greater Good.

Dead Men Walking is the only depiction i know of that portrays them as the near souless biological automatons.