He's been in shackled in a dark room for 4 days. He can feel the ship rocketing through the warp, going to an unknown location. Two hours or so ago he felt it bounce its way through the atmosphere to the planet's surface. Then silence. Deathworld, he's on a deathworld he can smell it. Even in the steel box they put him in the scents come through. He back on a deathworld, the catachan is home.

"I thought we were taken him to penal colony, where Kalar was gonna personally throw him it to his pen"  Blaco chuckles to his fellow marine, as they walk down the corridor of the thunderhawk gunship.

"Yep" Juno answers, "Then these new orders came in. Now he's to be take him to the commander of this emperor forsaken planet."  They unlock the restraint room. "And Kalar's in a rage"

The light flows in blinding the prisoner. No light for four days and then suddenly an abundance of light. The prisoner’s eyes start to focus; as he squints he can see the guards coming for him.

"At least I'll die on a deathworld' he mumbles.

One marine grabs him by the throat. "If it was up to me you'd be floating in space" The Ultramarine hisses.

They two ultramarine unshackle him and drag him through the ship and onto the landing pad. There he's thrown into the back of a Rhino and driven away. The two marines go back into the Thunderhawk and the ship lifts off the planet.

The Rhino comes to a halt, the doors are lowered and he's dragged out.

"Stand up, scum" The Sargent of the PDF detachment bellows. The prisoner stands up straight, and locks eyes with the sargent. The PDF member pulls out his club

"I'll teach you to look me in the eyes, scum"

He starts to swing at the prisoner, when someone grabs his arm. "What" he spins around to see who would dare grab his arm. He finds that the person holding him is a Catachan Lieutenant.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Sargent,” The Lieutenant says in a gruff voice.

The PDF member straightens his stance and puts up his club.  "Why is that sir?” he asks.

The Catachan LT smiles "Because your gonna take the restraints of him right now, and he might remember that you hit him when you do".

 "Take the restraints off sir?” The sargent asks shockingly.

"That's what I said" the Lieutenant snaps back "Now do it".

"Yes sir" the PDF member quickly removes the restraints, keeping a watchful eye on the prisoner while doing so.

"So" the Lieutenant says with a grin "guess we're about even now, ah Stone"

The prison looks up at the Lieutenant and grins back "I don't know, seems I recall saving a certain Lt.’s slow butt a few times."

 Lieutenant Jarvar shakes his head " First I didn't need your help. Besides saving your butt from a penal colony is atleast worth two."

"Well" Stone answers with a chuckle "then your only one or two behind now"

Jarvar smiles a sheepish grin "We'll see” then he turns and starts walking off. Stone stares at his friend for a moment. Gives the PDF members a little growl and then follows.

"Where we goin" he asks when he catches up with his friend.

"To get you cleaned up” Jarvar answers "you stink".

 "I've been shackled to a wall for 4 days what do you expect" Stone answers sarcastically.

"You hit a Space Marine commander in the head with your shotgun" Jarvar snaps back. "What did you expect? Your lucky they didn't shot you on the spot”

Stone looks over at his fellow catachan. "He was only an acting commander."

 The two lock eyes and start laughing as they continue on to the barracks where a shower and a change of clothes awaited them.

An hour later, clean and shaven Stone's eating in the mess. Wolfing down partion after partion of food and drink.

Jarvar shakes his head in disgust "you act like you've never eaten before".

"Damn Jar" Stone answers "how do you think your act after being shackled for 4 days"

"How long you gonna use that for an excuse, Stony" Jarvar answers back "You hit a space marine commander in front of his fellow marines. You know better than that"

"I had my reasons" Stone states with a determined look on his face.

"I'm sure you did." Jarvar snaps, "You better never try that crud again. The commander saved your butt on my request, your favors are about used up."

 Stone eyes his old friend for a moment "So, how you been anyway."

"Well let's see" Javar answers as he looks up at the ceiling. 'It's been about 5 years since I saw you last. On Marcov VII, I believe"

"Sounds right" Stone answers with a mouth full of food.

"Well" Jarvar continues "I've been good, bad, lousy, alright and mediocre. You?"

Stone chuckles "bout the same." Stone eyes his friend for a moment "So, when’s it drop"

Jarvar looks at him with a questioning look "what?"

 Stone sits back "the other shoe your holding."

Jarvar smiles "well, bout time you asked about the cost. Time to go see the colonel."

They enter the command bunker, just one big concrete building partitioned off into two rooms. The war-room is alive with activity. Communication equipment are receiving information. Personal are moving about the room writing, sending receiving messages. Maps of various planets are up all over the room. A large board is being filled out listing troops, tanks and artillery. Jarvar walks over toward the partitioned room, where he stops in front of the wall and lightly knocks on it.

“Come” a female voice answers for the other side of the wall.

They enter the makeshift office. A desk has been formed out of a flat piece of wood laid across 2 oil drums. Boxes full of papers are piled in one corner of the room. A large map is stretched across a one wall, while another map is on the wall across from it. There are three women in this room. One is sitting on a box, dressed in normal Catachan uniform field stripping a Laz riffle. The other two are staring at the map on the south wall of the room. These two women are each unique and striking in there own way. One is wearing the robes of the Imperial pyskers. An extremely tall woman with pitch-black hair. The other is slightly shorter that her companion, she has white hair and very pale skin.

“I don’t like it Kat” the pale skinned women says.

 “We don’t have to like it” The taller one response “we just have to serve the emperor’s wishes”.

The seated woman quickly rises and eyes the two men suspiciously. The other two take note of her movements and turn toward the new comers. When the other two women turn to face the men, Stone sees the Colonel insignia on the collar of her uniform. He remembers rumors of a Female Commander who supposedly escaped from a Dark Eldar world, or was once a member of the Adaptas Soritis. This woman had many such rumors about her, and was suppose to be extremely pale skin. He realizes that although he doesn’t know if the various stories are true or not. He now knows that she does exist. The two guardsmen straighten and salute.

“Ah, Jarvar you finally made it I see” The pale one says

“Yes ma’am” Jarvar answers “I cleaned him up first”

The pale women turns to Stone “So you’re the great space marine insulter” she states slowly raise one eyebrow.

Stone’s taken aback for a moment “I suppose so ma’am”

The Colonel smiles. “Then we have a few things to discuss” she points behind the men “pull up some box’s and have a seat, I’ll be with you in a moment”.

She then turns back to the pysker and they finish their discussion. The two men turn and grab some boxes and move them over in front of the desk and sit down. Both notice that the other women never takes her eyes of them as she finishes putting her weapon back together. After a few minutes the Colonel turns back around towards the men. “Val,” She says toward the Catachan woman “Why don’t you and Katrina wait outside while I talk to these two”

 “You sure ma’am” the Val women replies

“Yes” she replies with a chuckle “I’ll call if I need you”

“I just be outside” she turns to the men “Right outside!”

The other two women leave the room “Your have to excuse Val” The Colonel explains “She a litte protective”

Jarvar leans over towards Stone “Kind of like a Catachan She-devil” he says with a chuckle.

This brings a slight smile to the Colonel face. The Colonel pulls the only chair in the room over in front of the desk and sits down. This is the first time the stone is able to get a good look at her. He realizes how truly striking she is. Not just the fact that her skin is so pale, but how pretty she is as well.

“So” the Colonel abruptly says “Jarvar tells me you the man for the job.”

Stone looks confused for a moment “Job, what job?”.

The Colonel smiles at him, obviously enjoying his confusion a bit. “First let me introduce myself. My name’s Colonel Victoria” She continues “I run the Catachan 128th. There’s a few this we need to get straight right now”. She hesitates for a moment as she reaches for a cup of coffee sitting on the table. “First, I don’t go into the whole saluting, attention if I move thing. I expect discipline and respect in the ranks. But, I don’t figure salutes necessarily mean that.” Victoria smiles slightly “of course I’ll knock any man who doesn’t show respect into orbit”. This brings a small smile to Stone’s face. “Respect is something you earn, not warn on your collar.” Victoria continues “My men follow me because they believe in me and that I’ll bring them back alive” She looks Stone in the eyes “What do you believe?”

Stone continues to look her in the eyes for a minute “I believe if half the rumors are true about you. You can defiantly bring most of them back alright.’

Victoria lifts one eyebrow “Most?”

“Yes” Stone replies, “I’ve found no matter how well you prepare or who leads you. Some won’t make it back”

“True” the colonel solemnly answers “Too true. But, we can strife to bring all we can back” She smiles “As far as the rumors go” she leans toward the to men a little “ I like the one that says I kicked Leman Russ’s butt the best” They all three laugh for a bit, then she interrupts. “But, down to business. I’m looking for a person for a very tough assignment.” She looks at Jarvar “He tells me that person is you”

Stone looks over at his friend, Jarvar just smiles. “I guess that would depend on what the assignment is”. Stone replies.

“Well before we discuss that, I have something I want you to explain to me,” the colonel says as she leans back and crosses her arms across her chest.

“What would that be?” Stone ask

“I want you to tell me your version of what happened on Optias III”. The Colonel can tell that he isn’t please with her request, but feels he’ll tell her “It will tell me if you’re the right man for the job I have in mind or not” She tells Stone.

Stone looks at the Colonel. “Well, we were sent to Optias III to clean out a genestealer cult that had reared up. Intel said that they had a massed a strong following and were giving the PDF fits. What we didn’t know is that they already had control of the planet. Their wasn’t just genestealers present their were a few others as well. No tyrants, thank the emperor but some of the bigger ones never the less. We loaded up and headed down the planet surface, the pounding started on the way down.” Stone looks into the Col. eye’s; he can tell she’s listening to every word.

“They started hammer’n us. We lost over half the force on the planet fall, including the our headquarters and most command squads.” He start shaken his head “Everyone was pretty lost when we got on the surface. No one seemed to know what was going on. The bugs were rapidly drawing near. None was firing, no seemed to know what the blazes to do. Next thing I know someone starts barking orders. Setting up the artillery squads. Sending the zappers to setup ambushes. Starting fire lines, Sending targets to the few tanks that made it. Somewhere along the way I realized, I was the one doing barking orders.”

The col. slowly smiles “They were actually listening” Jarvar interrupts “that’s a sure sign the warps gonna explode.”

Stone chuckles “That’s what I thought, but they were. We were getting decimated though. The stealers we’re move up through the ambushes like the weren’t even there. Homogaunts were wiping out squads left and right. The men fought hard and we managed to kil some of the bugs, but not enough. I yelled to fall back and had the tanks drop smoke to cover us, but I need time to regroup. That’s when I heard the hoof beats behind me.”

The colonel raises an eyebrow “hoof beats?” she asks.

“Yes ma’am. I turned as Commissar rode up.”

“A commissar?” the Colonel says surprisingly.

Stone nods his head ‘Yea, strangest thing I ever saw. He shot me a quick salute and said, “Were give you time to regroup.”

Turn the horse around and rode off to meet up with the rest of the roughrider.”

Stone looks up at the colonel. “Seemed that there were roughriders on board the transport ship and the made it to planet fall.” Stone gets a far off look on his face. “The commissar motioned the roughriders forward. They went in a full galloped. Right into the heart of the stealers and gaunts. 1 full platoon of rough riders against a 100 or more bugs.”

“That’s nuts” Lt blurts out. “Didn’t he know they couldn’t survive”

“He knew” The Colonel answers solemnly “he knew”

“We had have time to regroup” Stone tells his friend “He knew that” The far off look crosses stone’s face again “They were wiped out. Even their horses were slaughtered.” Stone locks eyes with the Colonel “but not before the wiped out a damn lot of bugs. There had to be 100 bugs when they were swarmed. When the bugs advanced after the slaughter there we’re less that half as many”

 Stone Shakes his head “It bought us the time we need. I manage top regroup everyone. The las cannon squad was a little shaking so I sent a preacher to watch over them. I positioned an Exterminator in front of the path of the bug. The mortars started dropping frag round into the swarm. The zappers had laid several mines for them to walk into. We started slaughtering them instead of being slaughtered. We saw several of the larger bug, caries and warrior coming to. That’s when the marines arrived”

The Colonel listens to Stones words. She heard the distain when he talked about the marines landing.  Heard the sorrow in his voice for the roughriders and other killed. Listen to him describe the plans he laid down to be followed. The more she listens the more she knew he was the one for the job.

‘The Marines had a time make planet fall too” Stone continued, “Several drop pods were destroyed on the way down. One landed and their command pompously stepped out. Unfortunately for him his squads landed in front of a Carenfex and near were several Lictors were hiding. They were wiped out in no time. The marines only managed to wound the carnie and kill one lictor.”

Stone turns to his friend “This is where the acting commander we discussed earlier comes in”

Jarvar laughs a bit “So this is the one you end up insulting”

“Yep” Stone replies “he was leading a termie squad. I guess he was the most experienced marine left.” He looks at the colonel

“ Sorry ma’am didn’t mean to get side tract”

The colonel chucks “It’s quite alright Lieutenant.” Please continue,

 “Yes ma’am.” Stone thinks for a minute ‘ Ok, I had everyone continue to lay down fire into the swarm of stealers and gaunts.” He looks at the Colonel “ I figured it would be best to get rid of them and then concentrate on the bigger one. Beside, easier to shoot without a stealer in you face” Stone smile at his friend.

 “Here here ‘ Jarvar answers,

 “We managed to wipe most of them out. Between the traps the zappers set and some luck in close combat we lost just a few men to them. When they started getting close I had the laz cannon teams and the exterminator, griffon and Russ unload on the bigger ones.” Stone thinks for a minute “I still can’t believe it. We headed down with ten tanks and only four made it to the surface. The fourth was blown to bits in a matter of minutes.” Stone shakes his head “Damn intel was so far off it was a miracle anyone made it down.”

“What happen next” The Colonel calmly asks.

“Well ma’am. Some lightings & marauders made several passes, wiping out numerous bugs. Between, them us and marines we managed to wipe them all out.” He thinks for a moment “I not sure what happened in orbit or in the main city. I heard some chatter on the comms about fighting both places.” Stone looks up at the Colonel “That’s about it really”.

The Colonel sits back in her chair.  “And exactly when did you strike the commander.” “Sorry “acting” commander.” She says with a smile“.

Stone smiles slightly “That would be when I was walking through the battlefield. I came upon the area where the roughriders charged the swarm”. Stone gets the far off look again” I had been walking through the remains. Not much were left, even most of the horses had been consumed. Just body parts of men and horses scattered around. Couldn’t tell which arm went to what.” Stone looks at the Colonel. “To be honest ma’am I don’t remember it all. I had been walking around for a bit I looks down and I found the Commissar’s hat. I was standing there holding it when a couple marines walked up. There was the “acting” commander and a couple others. The Commander turned to the others and said. “

“See never send a guardsman to do a marine’s job”.

Stone shakes his head. “I couldn’t believe it. If it was for the Roughriders we would have been wiped out and the marine probably wouldn’t have faired any better. But, he’s this pompous ass standing acting like there sacrifice didn’t matter.” Stone shrugs “So I slammed my shotgun upside his head. That’ll teach him to make fun of a guardsman sacrifice. Not to mention keeping his helmet on.”

“You hit him with you shotgun” Jarvar asks “your lucky the didn’t kill you”

“Maybe” Stone answers “I still don’t know why I didn’t just shoot him”.

“It’s not very wise to say such things Lieutenant” The colonel interjects “The inquisition could interrupt that as a act of heresy”

“Yes ma’am” Stone replies “And it’s Sergeant “

Colonel Victoria raises an eyebrow and slow picks up a box off her make shift desks and toss it to him “No it not”

Stones Eyes gets wide as he opens the box. “I don’t understand this ma’am”

“What’s to understand? I manage to get you assigned to me. So you not going to the penal colony”  The Colonel replies.

“But, why this” Stone asks as he hold up the box.

“Because you can’t lead a platoon if you not a LT” She looks at Jarvar “I thought you said he was quick”

“He usually is” Jarvar answers

“Wait, I’m no leader” Stone interjects

“You seemed to be on Optias III” The colonel replies

“That was luck” Stone answers defensively.

”No” the colonel says with a small smile “You took control and saved the lives of your fellow guardsman. You also stopped the planet from falling to the tyranid horde.” Victoria continues, “You weren’t the only reason we saved the planet but you were the leader on the field. You showed the ability to lead and to make good decision in the heat of battle. I know it, you know it and that Commissar knew it. That’s why he saluted you and that why he did what he did. He knew you need time and knew you would come through.” The Colonel stops for a minute to allow the words to sink in.

“That’s what I need Stone. So get use to the title” A smile slowly creeps over the colonel’s face “Unless you prefer a penal colony”

“Not really ma’am” he replies quietly.

“Good, now the bad news” the colonel continues, “I need someone to command 5th platoon”

“Black Company!” Jarvar blurts out.

Stone looks at his friend then back at the Colonel. “Why do I think I’m gonna miss the penal colony?” He asks.

“Black Company, as the platoon is referred to, gets all the hard targets in most of our engagements.” The colonel continues “The most heavily armored, the toughest targets, the heaviest defend objectives.” The colonel sees the concern creep across both Stone’s and Jarvar’s faces. “The thing that worries your friend hear the most, is that fact that no LT has lasted longer than 3 months with fifth platoon.”

 “Now I see why you were able to get me off the transport” Stone mutters

“No” the colonel replies “I was able to do that by talking to the right people. As well as have a few favors repaid.” She gets up and walks around the desk. She then leans against the desk in front of Stone. “You saved a lot of lives on Optias III, and probably stop the tyranids for gaining another planet.” She looks him straight in the eye. “At the very least you slowed them down until reinforcements arrived.” She can see that he doesn’t believe that’s what happened. “I talked to others that made it off the planet.” She can see that this surprised the new lt. “Several of them are now under my command, including the laz cannon squad you mentioned. They will be replacements in you platoon,” she continues. “As will a certain preacher that was there?”

Stone thinks for a second, he finally remembers a preacher’s name “Jacob?”

“Jacob” she nods “I had several long conversations with him about that battle”

“He should be recommended for a citation.” Stone interjects “He was able to stop several squads from falling back. I think he was knee deep in bugs by the time the air strike hit as well.”

The colonel smiles, he mentioning others valor but overlooking or ignoring his own. “He has already had been recommended.” She replies, “As have several others from the battle. But let’s talk about you now.” “All I talked to, except the marines of course, say that two things save them that day.” The colonel holds up one finger “The fact that the roughriders charge into the genestealers which gave you time to regroup” she holds up a second finger “and you”.

“Colonel I’m very grateful for all you’ve done, but..”

“You’re a natural born leader Stoney” Jarvar interrupts “I’ve always told you that”.

“He’s right too,” The Colonel states firmly “you feel bad because you couldn’t save everyone.” She continues, “You think that those who died did so because you failed them somehow. Well now you know how I and every other command feels after a battle.”

Stone thinks about what the Colonel has said. He does feel like he failed those who died, if he had just thought of a better plan. If someone else would have been in charge that day. If their colonel had made it down to the surface alive. It all has gone through his head since that battle.

“I know you might not believe all this” The colonel says  “but, believe that I won’t put you in charge of a platoon unless I believed it.”

 “Besides, it will only last for three months” Jarvar chuckles.

Stone and the colonel both turn towards Jarvar and then turn back towards each other. They lock eyes for a moment, and then they can’t help but chuckle.

“He could be right” Stone chuckles “I might not fair any better that the others you had in the past”.

“Don’t get me wrong” The colonel replies “I’m not saying it will be easy but, I think your handle it fine.”

Stone thinks for a minute, he looks at the little box he’s been holding. “I guess I’ll take it then”

“Good” The colonel answers “Jarvar will take you over to your men. I think you can handle the introductions yourself” “But first you get to make some decisions” Victoria states.

 “Oh?” Stone answers.

“Yes” The Colonel continues. “Right now fifth platoon is short some squads. You have the las cannon team and a tactical squad. You also have 1 Tank hunter and 1 Exterminator as auxiliaries.” The colonel reaches for a sheet of paper, and then hands it to Stone. “This is a list of what we have in the way of replacements”.

 Stone looks over the paper for a moment. He notices that his old squad is listed. “I’ll take my old zapper squad and the Vanquisher,” he says as he hand s the list back.

“Why” The colonel asks

“Ma’am?” Stone answers.

The colonel smiles slightly “of everything on that list, why those?”

 “Well I know how my old squad will work” he answers “after everything that cannon squad went through I don’t think I’ll have to worry about them. So having my old squads leaves me only one I have to watch.”

“Okay, I can understand that” The colonel says with a smile “the vanquisher?”

Stone takes a deep breath “well, I figure the tank hunters good against hard targets. The exterminator is good against most troops.”

The colonel nods along with his statements

“I figure the vanquisher is pretty good against both”

“Very logical, and smart” The colonel replies “I think your do fine”. “Well” she says as she stands up “Jarvar picked out some gear for you, its outside.’ “Val!” she yells.

Val comes running around the wall with her laz riffle ready. She stops when she sees everything is okay “ma’am” she says questioning.

 “Show these two where you put the equipment Jarvar brought earlier, please” she turns back to the men “Be in the command bunker in thirty minutes for a briefing.” Both me stand up

“Yes ma’am” the say in unison. They both give their commander a quick salute and turn to follow Val out of the office

“Stone” the Colonel says.

Stone turns towards her “yes ma’am?”

“Lets not insult anymore marines, I’m not sure how many favors I have”

Stone smile “yes ma’am “ he turns to leaves

 “Unless I tell you too of course” The colonel replies quietly as she starts looking over the papers on her desk.

Stone smiles and continues out of the room.
 

A hour later on hill top over looking 5th platoons. Two friends are getting ready to part again. Jarvar walks along with his friend. They’ve had the briefing, now they have to get their platoons ready for war. “I didn’t know this was her plan Stony”.

“Don’t worry about it”  Stone replies “better than what was planned for me”.

Looking down into the small valley below the can see 5th platoon. He sees that not all of the reinforcements have arrived. He quickly looks over the platoon. He sees his heavy weapon squad cleaning their laz cannons. The tactical squad seems to be checking their supplies and other gear. The two tanks that are already present with the platoon are parked at one end of the clearing. Even from this far away the Imperial Tank Hunter is has a striking form. This one has been modified to actually still have sponsons, both of which contain a laz cannon. In the distance he sees a Leman Russ Vanquisher is slowly inching it’s way along the valley towards the rest of the platoon.

 “There’s your old squad” Jarvar says pointing down in to the valley. Stone looks to where his friend is pointing and does indeed she his old squad milling around.

“Well, my friend” Jarvar says as he reaches out his hand. “If you need any thing, just yell.”

The two friends shake hands “You take care Jar”.

 “You too”  Jarvar answers.

Stone watches his friend walk away, and then he turns and slowly walks down into the valley. When he reaches the bottom of the rise he turn toward his old squad. When he gets close the notice him and start walking towards him. “Sarg” one of them says as he draws close.

“Man, we thought you were dead for sure.”

“I almost was, but the Colonel save my butt” he answers.

“Someone sees you impersonating a LT and they will still do it Stony” Jackson says with a chuckle.

“I’m not impersonating one Sergeant” Stony answers “I am the new LT”

“I’m not a sergeant” Jackson answers “you kn…. Oh no”

Stone smiles

 “Forget it. You can get someone else” Jackson says shaken his head vigorously.

“Don’t need to” Stone replies “I have you”.

“Come on Stony, you know I don’t want it” Jackson pleads.

“Yep, but you the best qualified” Stone smiles and points to his collar “ and it’s Lieutenant Stone… Sergeant”

Jackson look’s at his “new” lieutenant “Great. Just great”

“Look at the bright side” Stone says, “The last lieutenant lasted three months”. Stone smiles real bug “When I buy it, she’ll probably make you the next lieutenant”.

“You call that a bright side?” Jackson asks

 “Get you squad ready to move, Sergeant” Stone says with a slight smile.

 “Yes, sir”  Jackson answers and turns and starts toward his squad.

Stone turns and starts toward the tank hunter. “Jacks!” he yells back

“Yea” Jackson answers

 “be sure to stock up on plasma charges, I think were gonna need them”  Stone tells him

“Swell.” Jackson replies with a half salute.

 Stone chuckles and continues to the tank hunter. He’s never seen one up close and has decided to take a closer look. He slowly walks around the tank. “Could of used this bad boy on Optias III” he mutters aloud. He walks around the back of the tank and spots a guardsman painting on a piece of canvas.

“What you doing soldier” he bellows.

The soldier spins around to face him, but trying to hide what he’s been doing. “n..n..nothing sir.” He replies shakily “just painting a little

 “Let’s see it” Stone says. The soldier turns to the canvas

“Why would you want to see it?” someone says behind him.

Stone turns towards the voice. He sees a man dressed on robes walking towards him.

“Brother Jacob” Stone says as he walks to the imperial preacher. “I’m glad to see you”

“As I am to see you alive and unharmed” Jacob replies as he extends his hand towards the lieutenant.

“I want to thank you for talking to the Colonel for me” Stone tells him.

“I merely answered her questions” Jacob answers, “I told her what I saw.

“That may well be, but thank you anyway” Stone continues “have you been keep these guys on the straight and narrow?”

Jacob bows slightly “but of course”

Stone chuckles “I’m gonna change you assignment slightly. I think that the cannons will be alright without you” Stone continues “With what happened on Optias II the should be fine. I not sure about about first squad though” He nods over toward first squad. “To be honest I don’t know how they will react. They’re an unknown for me. I know that the zappers and the cannons will be all right. But them..”

Jacob looks over at first squad “and you’d feel better if I was there to watch over them”

“Yea, that’s about it” Stone replies

“I’ll move my belongings over there at once then” Jacob tells Stone as he turns back to face him.

“Don’t bother” Stone replies “We’re moving out in 2 hours. Just get what you need and the get them ready to go.”

“That’s not much time’ Jacob says with a concerned look on his face.

“I know, briefing in one hour at my tent.” Stone answers as he looks around. “When I find it”.

“It’s over there sir” the all but forgotten guardsmen butts in, as he points over to a isolated tent.

“Well with you leave lieutenant” Jacob says with a slight bow of his head

“of course” Stone replies “I’ll see you and the sergeant of first squad in one hour”

With that the preacher turns and walks back the way he came. Stone turns back towards the guardsmen

“So, where were we?” He asks

“Uh…the banner I think” the guardsman answers sheepishly. The two walk over to the canvas. “I was wanting to put this up on the antenna but Lieutenant Jones said no.” the guardsman explains

“Was that your last Lieutenant?” Stone asks.

“Yes” a gruff voice answers from the side of the tank

“This is my sergeant sir” the first guardsman explains

“You run the tank then” Stone asks

“That’s right” The sergeant answers with a slight smile

“Wrong!” Stone replies sternly “I run this tank. You follow what I say or your have a rifle in your hands before your have time to spit” Stone can see the sergeant was taken aback by what he said  “Any questions?” he asks

“No sir” the sergeant replies

“Good. Make sure your fully loaded.” Stone continues, “We’re moving out in two hours. Be in my tent in one. Clear?”

“Yes sirs” the sergeant says with a salute. Stone returns the salute

“Now about that banner?” he says as he turns toward the first guardsman. The guardsman moves out of the way so that Stone can get a look. The banner has a pale skinned Catachan women in very skimpy swim wear, holding a laz rifle while laying on a towel. It’s obvious who the girl is supposed to be. There’s just not to many pale skinned Catachan women. He chuckles and smiles a little “Carry on”

He turns and starts toward his tent on the hill top behind it is can she the Colonel with her command squad. She’s standing there watching over the preparations for war. Her long white hair is blowing in the breeze as she continues to bark orders. She turns to survey the rest of her command she looks down toward Stone for a minute. They lock eyes, he nods his head toward her. She seems to nod back and then continues with her preparations. He stops and looks at her for a minute. He thinks about what she has done for him, and what she said.

“Sergeant!” he yells back towards the tank hunter. When the replacements for my command squad get here send them to my tent.”

“Yes sir?” the sergeant replies.

“And Sergeant” Stone yells back. “I want that banner up on the tank within the hour” Stone answers firmly.

“Sir?” the sergeant asks.

“You heard me” Stone replies ‘and even anyone says something about it. You send them to me”

Stone turns back and continue towards his tent. He doesn’t know if he’ll last longer than the last lieutenant, but he’ll make sure that she won’t regret her decision.