Company of Martyrs (Warhammer 40K Wargame Quest)

You let out a disbelieving sigh at Raou's report, but he wasn't joking. He never joked when it came to the lives of his squad. "Both Patre and Cletier are already back in service, huh. What a swift turn around."

"Yes, it surprised the medicae as well, but neither of them are willing to sit out any longer," mentioned the Sergeant with a shake of the head. "So if you could just sign off on their release papers, the medicae can't have reason to keep them in the ward any longer."

There was a risk that they were toughing out through the pain, but you trusted their Sergeant's assessment. Plus, you did need every soldier you could muster back out there, ready to fight if they could. But not those who refused to do so.

The reminder soured your expression when you handed back the signed papers and Raou sighed, knowing what you were thinking of. "It's a shame about Gernier, but, the charges are ironclad. They disobeyed orders and refused to fight when the moment came. It is unbecoming and disgraceful behavior that shames the Astra Militarum."

"At least we're already on a penal colony, so there's little question of where they'll be discharged to," you bitterly remarked with a shake of the head. "It hurts to lose an experienced soldier, but we can't have cowards and deserters in our ranks. No place for those who run away from a fight and abandon their comrades in arms."

He made the sign of the aquila. "May Imperial justice be done. Perhaps through atonement, the Emperor shall be merciful in His judgment."

You mirrored the gesture, wondering if it was sinful to be slightly grateful that the communication line back home to Scintillia had been broken due to the ongoing Warp storms. Were messages to flow still uninterrupted, word of Gernier's disgrace would reach their family and the news would undoubtedly shame the entire line in society. It would be useful ammunition for noble rivals to accuse them of cowardice and dereliction in their duties, leading to perhaps further tragedy stemming from a single moment of faltering faith. And you'd have to be that bearer of bad news to deliver the message, being the one who signed those release papers too.

Ironic that how those signed documents could bring both joy and despair.


Due to the failure of the Adeptus Arbites in preventing rebellion on the penal colony, the local branch was being given a thorough audit by inspectors that had accompanied Oster-1 to the system, straight from the Lord Commander's own team of administrators and bureacrats. They found that while the Arbites had managed the planet sufficiently, they and the planetary PDF had been receiving wrong equipment all this time, up until the Warp storms had overtaken the planet. It would explain the unusual focus on aircraft that the planet's defenders fixated on, having just adapted and learned to work with said equipment. It was of the begrudging opinions from the inspectors to leave it that way, what with the unintentional air corps being surprisingly effective.

However, there still was more that they had spares of that weren't being used. This time, the proper paperwork was filed to get the surplus equipment released into the care of the Imperial Guard units that would need them more. To the delight of all in the 99th Scintillia Grenadiers, this happened to include a nostalgic favorite that had many Vaulters eagerly clamoring for an opportunity to play about with. It took the collective effort of you and many other officers to get them back to their duties, promising that if their squad earned the prestige of it, they could perhaps train and learn how to bring the new weapon to the battlefield.

You were expecting the resulting competition to be fierce, but it was only to be expected. After all, Heavy Bolters were very much something you'd like in your squads as well.

Heavy Bolters have been added as a limited supply requisition.


Finally, it appeared the strategists of Oster-1 had settled on a plan of action and were beginning to move units about in preparation for said operation. It apparently involved setting up a joint-unit headquarters in the city the 99th Grenadiers were currently garrisoning, and so you were ordered to help prepare some room for the incoming troops. It had sounded like a simple task at first, until you learned it wasn't going to be the 59th Moebians.

Rather, it was going to be the 407th Steel Legion, with their vast armada of vehicles that meant needing to clear out an appropriately large space for their motor pool.

It was touch and go at a few points but the locals, still brimming with gratitude from your heroic defense, were more than happy to help with the rapid construction. Soon, there was an actual road that led in and out of the city, one actually suitable for the vehicles coming from Armageddon. You held your breath anyway when they came, but they seemed to hold up well enough while entering the city in a majestic armored column that awed the penal inhabitants.

The Scintillia Grenadiers helped lend grandeur to that image by having troops stand at attention, rifles outstretched and crossing bayonets to create a pseudo-victory arch to welcome their fellow Guardsmen. The soldiers of the column seemed touched by the gesture, more than a few officers rising from hatches to return salutes to the infantry they passed.

Eventually one of the passing vehicles slowed down just enough for an officer to hop out before they continued along. They tugged at their gas mask and pulled it down to reveal a weathered and lined face, of a man who perhaps had even fought in one of the grand conflicts of his home planet. He approached the one wearing an officer's coat and made the sign of the aquila as a greeting.

You returned the sentiment before straightening up, making sure to speak confidently but equally to the Captain based on his pins. "Hail, Tread Knight. I trust your travels here went smoothly thanks to the nice road we dug out just for you."

He chuckled and relaxed minutely. "So that was your doing then? I've some complaints, like the lack of nice rest spots on the way, but I suppose the drive was fine enough otherwise." He saluted this time, making observance of your rank. "Captain Matthias Frucht, 407th Steel Legion, 10th Company."

You returned the gesture. "Major Gwendolyn Starcrest, 99th Scintillia Grenadiers, 5th Battalion." The last part still felt odd on your tongue, but not as awkwardly as it had been the first time. "Good to finally make your acquaintance. My unit has been looking quite forward to connecting with their kin of the tracks."

"Hm? Ah, right, you're nobles aren't you?" He gave you a curious look, noting the definite lack of a prideful and dismissive attitude so emblematic of your background. "Have to say that you're probably the first ones who haven't demanded me to clean your boot as penance for not offering my head immediately."

"I wouldn't dare put our company's shoeshiner out of business," you idly remarked with a shrug. "I'm sorry to say, but I do prefer a more professional sort of care to our equipment. Maybe I could introduce you to them later if you're interested at all."

"Hah! Might actually be something to take you up on, so the driver can actually having something pretty to look at when I tell them what direction to go!" He chuckled and you smiled, the natural camaraderie of two soldiers far from home but fighting for humanity settling in. "Ah but I think we'll work well together, Major. Your efforts in making this place just a bit more welcoming for us won't be forgotten, I promise it."

You nodded, then paused. "As it so turns out, I'd like to ask if you would be interested in already cooperating for the next battle we find ourselves in. My troops are good infantry, but we're lacking in any form of armor or fire support. I'm sure you can see where this is leading."

"Fair enough." He seemed to think on the matter before nodding. "I think if you can put up some supplies, I could convince one of the crews to support your efforts and temporary attach them to your command. But please, don't lose them- we might have more metal, but the experience that crew them aren't so easily replaced."

"I understand, especially when we're all in the same boat together."

"Too right. Now then, what are you interested in?"

[ ] A Scout Sentinel, equipped with a missile launcher. (Cost: 55 Requisition)

[ ] A Salamander Scout Tank, equipped with an autocannon and heavy bolter. (Cost: 78 Requisition)

[ ] A Basilisk, equipped with an earthshaker cannon and heavy bolter. (Cost: 108 Requisition)

- I randomly rolled for what vehicles were made available, and unfortunately that Basilisk is just barely out of your budget. That's unfortunate but can't be helped. The other two options though I imagine are still welcomed for what they can potentially bring to your next battle. Remember that if they survive, you will be refunded half their cost at the end of the battle.