He’s been studying the Orc forces marching towards his position since they landed on Xtin VII. He watched them disembark from their drop pods and their leaders try and organize them. He knew they would be out numbered, for Catachans that how it always seems to be. However, no one mention a Gargant not even a small one. Lt Stone puts the micron-viewer down and rubs his eye. When Colonel save him from the penal colony and arrange for him to join the Catachan 128th she warned him it wouldn’t be easy. The 128th always gets tough assignments and Black Company gets the worst. So of course she put him in charge of 5th platoon, Black Company. He’s been leading them for six months now, twice as long as the last Lieutenant. Every mission seems worse than the last but he manages.

“Get HQ on the horn” He tells his radiomen.

“Yes sit” his radioman answers “ Black Devil 1 to base, over. Black Devil 1 to base over.” The radioman sits back for a moment. “They don’t seem to be answering sir”

“Keep trying Jonesy” Stone answers “I’ll be at the talking to Jacob when they do”. Stone turns and walks over to where Brother Jacob is sitting. Jacob sees him walking over and stands up as he draws bear.

“How’s the troops Jacob” Stone asks.

“Fine” Jacob answers “The new recruits seem to be in good spirits” Jacob nods his head toward the only tactical squad in fifth platoon. The squad was nearly wiped out on the last mission fighting Dark Eldar. Only the sergeant and the missile launcher team survived. The new recruits are laughing and kidding around with one another. Stone smiles to himself, remembering a time many years ago when he and Jarvar were on the same zapper squad. They use to joke like that, even take bets on who would get hurt the worse. So many years ago it seemed, all most another life.

“Sir?” Jacob asks, breaking Stone’s train of thought.

Stone smiles “Just thinking back to when I was that young”

“You were that young” Jacob asks joking

“Yep” stone chuckles “A million years ago or so. Sergeant” He bellows towards the tactical squad.

“Sir” a large bald man answers and starts toward him. When he gets closer he snaps to attention and salutes “Sir”

Stone returns the salute. “How they looking” he asks.

The sergeant turns to look at his squad “Green sir. Very green, but they’re do fine. Even if Jacob and I have to ride them every second.” He turns to the preacher “Right Jacob”

Jacob smiles “Aye, there do fine. Sir”

“I hope so” Stone replies “I’ll warn you both now. This mission is looking like another tough one”. He turns to the sergeant “Get your men ready to move Sarg.”

“Yes sir” The sergeant spins and start barking orders at his squad. Stone has to laugh at the way they start scrambling around trying to carry out his orders. He looks over a Jacob and sees the worried look on his face.

“They will be fine Jacob” He tells the preacher

“But some will not return” Jacob replies solemnly.

“I know” Stone answers “But, I’ll bring as many as I can back”
Jacob turns and studies the man he’s known for little over a year now. Battles on several worlds have turned the zapper sergeant he met into a very good leader. Jacob smiles “You always do, Stoney” Jacob says using the little used nickname for the Lieutenant “You always do. May the Emperor watch or you” With that Jacob bows slightly and goes to join the tactical squad.

“Sir” a voice calls from behind Stone. Stone turns and sees his radioman carrying a comm.-link and running towards him.

“Bout time” Stone mutters as he walks towards the radioman. The radioman slides to a stop and hands him the receiver.

“It’s Devil 1” he tells Stone excitedly

“Black Devil 1 to base” Stone says into the receiver.

“This is Devil 1” The colonels voice answers “What is the situation”.

“Bad sir” Stone replies “Numerous Orc forces on the ground and moving this way. Several vehicles including a small Gargant have been spotted. We are out numbered 3 to 1 minimum. Request reinforcements”

“Negative Black Devil 1” The colonel replies “All other forces are engaged. Your on your own”

Stone looks at the receiver and then at the troops he has. Just the normal members of fifth platoon. They were able to get a squad of Ogryn, led by a commissar and their Chimera. He looks over at the Ogryn’s Chimera. The Multi-laser has been replaced by twin-linked heavy bolters. Heads of numerous other races can be seen on top of the chimera. The Ogryn are standing around their vehicle polishing the heads as Stone looks on.

“Black Devil 1 are you there” The colonel’s voice comes over the radio snapping Stone back to the problems at hand.

“Just think Devil 1” Stone replies.

“Anything I should know about?” The colonel asks

“Just about how much I miss the penal colony” Stone replies “Black Devil 1 out”

“Good luck Black Devil 1” The colonel chuckles over the comm. “Devil 1 out.”

Stone looks over his forces, running plans through his head as to the best deployment of them. He notices his zapper squad emerging from the underbrush. All look a little tired and worn. Several have fresh blood on their clothes. Sergeant Jackson sees the Lieutenant and starts to make his way over. The rest of the squad drop down on the ground by one of the tanks for a well deserved break.

“What’s the good word LT?” Jackson asks

“None” Stone answers “what you see?”

Jackson pulls a roughly drawn map from his pocket and squats down in front of Stone. He spreads it out on the ground and grabs a near by stick to use as a pointer. “We’ve placed nice little surprises here, here  and here.” Jackson explains to Stone as he touches different spots on the map. “They are coming straight up what looks like a dry river bed. They should be here in three hours, four at the latest”

“How many?” Stone asks “Looks like a couple hundred from here”

“Near as I can tell that’s about right” Jackson Answers “The have a couple messed up Lemans and a Pred. They also have some battlewagons and bikes.” Jackson stands up and faces Stone. “That is a Small Gargant too, Stomppa I think they’re called”

“Who cares what they’re called” Stone replies “We need it blown to bits”

“When do the reinforcements get here.” Jackson asks

Stone spreads out his arms “This is it”

“We need more guy Stony” Jackson tells him

“ I know Jacks, I know” Stone answers as he starts rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Anything else?”

“Well, one thing” Jackson answers “I don’t know why but the Orcs are in a hurry to get somewhere”

“What do you mean?” Stone asks

“Well we set up some mines closer to them the than ones I showed you” Jackson explains “They walked into them. They didn’t slow down or nothing. Just walked over the bodies of the dead ones and kept moving.” Jackson shakes his head “It’s like they didn’t care about the mines, us or anything”

“That don’t make sense.” Stone tells his Sergeant

“Sure it does” says a strange voice from behind them.

They both spin towards the voice drawing weapons. The see a being about half as tall as them but extremely broad. He has grayish hair and a long full gray beard. He’s wearing what appears to be Carapace armor and has a pistol in a holster and is holding a large hammer. Stone remembers stories of humans that landed on High G worlds. Over the years their bodies changed to meet the needs of the worlds. They became known as Squats. Squats have colonized numerous planets in certain sectors of the universe. Few have been seen in recent years leading many to believe they had died off. Stone relaxes and holsters his pistol.

“You’re a Squat” Stone says to the newcomer “right?”

“We are called that by many” The Squat replies “My name is Shatar Greybeard”

“I’m Stone” Stone Replies “We’re with the Catachan 128th”

“ I know” Shatar answers “We’ve be monitoring you and watching you.”

“We?” Stone asks

“My brethren and I” Shatar asks “The mountains are ours” He turns and points to a large collection of hill and mountains behind them “That’s were the Orcs are headed”

“How do you know that” Stone asks

Shatar smiles “Because they hate us and word has got out about our metals.”

“Metals” Stone asks

“Yes” Shatar replies “We have developed a metal that is darn near indestructible. We made the mistake of trading some to the Governor of your colonies here.”

“His reports mentioned no Squats” Stone tell him

“I’m not surprised” Shatar answers “We’ve been trading metal for food stuffs and the like for years. Lately he has gotten a little greedy on his trade request so we haven’t done much trading. Which is why the pirates are attacking I suspect.”

“Pirates?” Stones asks

“Yep, never seemed to hit the settlements though” Shatar answers “Just us”

“You think he told them?” Stone asks

“Told, sent don’t know” Shartar answers “But when we stop trading they started attacks us. Pirates aint known for keeping their mouths shut. Like to brag and all.”

Shatar walks past the Catachans and looks off towards the direction the Orcs are coming from. Then turns back to face Stone.

“I figure they either sold some info or told someone about us and our new metal” Shartar tells him “and one way or another the Orcies found out about it.”

“And I’m suppose to take your world for all this” Stone tells the Squat.

Shatar smiles “Well I see it like this. You can trust me and my brethren and we can fight with ye, or let the Orcs kill you then fight them. Either way will work I guess” Shatar stands the hammer on it’s head in front of him and leans onto the haft “Now I figure the first would be a bit easier on you than the latter. But the choice is yours of course”

Stone smiles slightly “For some reason a prefer the first to the latter”

“I thought you might.” Shatar answers with a smile “Ok if I have my brethren come in?”

“Of course” Stone replies.

Shatar picks up his hammer and throws it into the air. A bolt of lightning seems to come out of the end of the haft and propels it higher. It hangs there for a minute then returns to Shatar’s hands as if it had a mind of its own. Off in the distance he can see movement and a cloud of dust kick up. As the get closer he can start making out some details. He sees squats on trikes, some anti-grav tanks and 2 gyro-copters. He can see at least what he deems a squad or two with hammers like the one Shatar is carrying. They seem to be using them to make leaps much like Marines do with jump packs. They stop about 100 yards away, except one trike. It continues towards them, when it gets closer Stone sees it has a sidecar attached. It pulls up within a few yards of them, in the sidecar is a elderly Squat in robes. The driver helps him up and then the elderly Squats slowly walks over to them.

“This is Valker” Shatar explains “He is our greatest Ancient Lord”

“Ancient Lord?” Stone replies

“Yes lieutenant” Valker answers “I speak to the ancients of our people for guidance"

“Ancients?” Stone asks “You mean the dead”

“Our ancients are not dead” Valker explains “They have moved on to the next realm. Soon I will join them and another will take my place”

“I see” Stone replies. He turns to Shatar “How is he gonna help us?”
“He will talk to the ancients who have fought here” Shatar tell him as he points to the ground “They will tell him the best defense for us to use.”

Stone look at Shatar for a minute “Right. They will tell him how we can win?”

Shatar smiles “I realize it’s a little hard for you to believe. It just has hard for us to believe that your preacher over there will be getting answers to his prayers from your Emperor.”

Stone can’t help but chuckle to himself “Please continue” he says to Valker.

Valker lowers his head and is silent for a moment. He mutters something and then starts to collapse. The driver of his trike and Shatar quickly grab him and carry him back to his sidecar. Where the gently place him in the sidecar and Shatar kneels next to it.

“What’s that mean Stony” Jackson asks

Stone turns to his zapper sergeant he all but forgot was there “I don’t now Jacks”

Stone turns back and watches the Squats. Valker seems to have recovered some and is talking and pointing at a map. He is talking rapidly by the look of it and his hand is moving all over the map.

“Stone” someone says from behind the lieutenant

Stone turns to see Commissar Malus walking towards him.

“Is this wise?” Malus asks when he gets closer.

“What do you mean?” Stone asks

“Working with them.” Malus answers “The inquisition could have questions about them. I’ve heard stories of Squats working with Chaos.”

“Maybe” Stone replies “But right now we’re facing a vast Orc army. We need all the help we can get. Besides, we have no proof they are working with anyone.”

“You still are taking a big chance” Malus tells him

“Well, IF I live through this I let the Inquisition have a full report.” Stone adds sarcastically

“Better get the Ogryn ready to move.” Stone tells him the turns and starts walking over to Shatar. Jackson give the Commissar a disgusting look and follows his Lieutenant.

Shatar meets them as the trike pulls away and heads toward the Squat army. Stone can tell something’s wrong by the look on the Squats face.

“What’s wrong” Stone asks

“It’s not all good” Shatar tells him. ‘the ancients told us much that will help us”

“I feel a but coming on” Jackson interjects

Shatar studies the Catachan zapper a moment “Yes. The cost will be high today”

“How high” Stone asks

“I will lose many brethren today.” Shatar tell Stone “As will you”
Stone is taken aback for a moment “Your ancients told you this?”

“Yes” Shatar replies “We can perhaps effect the amount of losses with the knowledge we gained. But we will lose many.” Shatar looks Stone in the eyes “Including Valker”

“What?” Stone asks?

“Valker was told he will move on today” Shatar answers “A old blessed one told him so. Baltur always was a pain.

“Blessed one?” Stone replies

“Yes” Shatar answers as he turns and points toward a old battle worn Rhino “They are the blessed one.”

Stone sees a dozen or so Squats milling around. All are unkempt and seem to be drinking and slapping each other around. Not far from them he sees several Squats holding Powerboards. The Imperial Command used them for a time. They could move the riders at speeds that rivaled Eldar Jet Bikes. But they were to unstable and to many riders were killed.

“They ride powerbaords” He ask shockingly

“No the ‘Serkers” Shatar answers “The other rider the Powerboards. The blessed one are considered “Touched” by the ancients” Shatar smiles “Or as I put it they’re a few gulps shy of a full tankard”

“You have guys who rider Powerboards into combat and you think the blessed ones are touched?” Stone tells him “Only a nut ride those things at all”

“Funny” Shatar answers “We say the same thing about horses”

Stone looks at the Squat and can’t help but laugh. “I wouldn’t rider either myself”

“That makes two of us” Shatar tells him. He opens up the map he’s been holding. “Valker says the ancients tell him this gully is deep and could hide several squads. We will move to these hills to your right. If you cover the center and the left we should have good shots at them.”

“Seems logical” Stone interjects

“We will open up on them first.” Shatar tells him “Our hate goes back several hundred years. This might side track them from their objective in the mountains. When the come at us you can open up and we’ll have them in a crossfire.”

“If they come at you.” Stone tells him “If not my men are in their way.”

“I know” Shatar answers solemnly “But they will come at us and we will be charging them from the start. They will have no choice. You will have to stay quite and hidden until they do.”

“Your asking us to take a hell of a chance here” Stone tell him “If they don’t my men will be in close combat before we can even fire or guns”

Shatar smiles slightly “I said it wasn’t all good news.” He points to the gully “This gully I mentioned runs back the way the came for quite a bit. Your men in there will be able to move unseen and come up behind the Orcs”

Stone looks over the map and thinks about the plans. He realizes that their isn’t another choice. He doesn’t like it but they’re out of options.

“Your setting yourselfs up as bait” Stone tell the Squat

“I know’ Shatar answers “but it’s the only way”

“Let’s do it then” Stone tells him

“When we attack join in after they turn towards us” Shatar tells him as he folds up the map. He reach his arm out “My the ancients watch over you and your men”

Stone takes his hand “My the Emperor watch over you and yours”

Shatar turns and walks a few steps away from Stone. He holds the hammer out to his side, lightning shoots from the bottom propelling him into the air towards his army. Stone watches him go, then turns to Jackson.

“Tell all the other to meet me in front of the Vanquisher in 10 minutes” Stone tells him

Jackson watches Shatar land in front of his men.

“Well I say this Stony” Jackson replies as he turns back towards the encampment “Being with you aint boring”

Stone chuckles “Go get the men”.
 

Thirty minutes later in front of the Leman Russ Vanquisher all of black company is assembled for their briefing. They all know of the Squats and the Orcs. They are wondering what their commander is going to do to make sure they leave this planet alive.

“Men this is gonna be the toughest battle yet” He explains. “The Squats are gonna engage the Orcs from the hills to the right of us. Tanks, you spread out in the middle here. I want all laz cannons to focus on the Gargant for the first salvo. If it’s still around for a second salvo do it. After that focus on the vehicles first then free fire from there. Exterminator and Vanquisher I want the rest of your guns on squads. Vanquisher put your main gun on the Gargant and the free fire after that.”

He turns to the Las Cannon Squad “Cannons you set up on the left. Wait till you see shoots get through the Gargant's shields then unload on it. One salvo only, after that focus on vehicles.”

Turning to the tactical squad “First squad will follow the zapper in to the gully. Jackson will show you where you can do the most damage. Spread out and stay quite. When they have turned towards the squats and the Gargant is damaged open up. Missile launcher, forget the Gargant focus on vehicles then squads.” Stone stops for a minute looking of his men then turns to Commissar Malus

“Malus setup between the tanks and the Laz cannons. When you think the time is right move in and destroy everything you can.” Turning toward everyone again he continues “Watch you shots, I don’t want Squats killed by us. Any questions”

No one says anything. They’re thinking over their orders and rather or not they will live this day. Stone isn’t sure how many will live either. However, this is the best option he has. “Get setup” He bellows “We move out in 20 minutes. Let’s move people.”
 
 

45 minutes later all his men are in place. Stone can hear the Orcs moving toward him. He can make out Gretchins and mobs of Orcs through the breaks in the trees and brush. He looks around him to verify that all is ready. The tanks are in position, his men are in position. Now all he can do is wait and hope that the Squats attack before he has no choice but to attack the Orcs.

“What I wouldn’t give to be in a jungle right now” he mutters to himself.

He hunches down behind a bush to wait. He sees the Orcs getting closer and closer. He has no choice now. He turns to give the signal to attack when he hears a clap of thunder off in the distance behind him. He looks up into a clear sky, no clouds at all. Another clap of thunder, then the tell tale whistle can be heard.

“Artillery?”  Stone asks none

He turns back to the Orcs. The first round hits the ground in front of the Gargant. The second hits the Gargant I the center of it’s “chest”. From his right he hears machine and the war cries of the Squats. He turns to see them come over the hill top. Trikes, tanks and the Powerboard riders in front. The Orcs stop and start screaming their own cry. Before the War bosses can stop them they turn and charge the Squats. Stone gives them a few minutes and then he signals the tanks. The Tanks open up on the Gargant, then the Las Cannon squad opens up.

“GO!!!” Stone yells waving his arm forward. Black Company moves forward toward the Orcs. The noises of battle can be heard. The battle cries, the gun fire, the screams of the wounded. It will continue for hours to come.
 
 

3 days later,  Xtin VII

Stone sits in his tent applying the ointment the Squat healers gave him. He still can barely move his arm, but it’s still there. The bolter shot felt like it ripped his arm off. He gets up to go outside and look over what is left of his platoon. He sees the Squat ancestors walking stick sitting on his makeshift desk. Shatar gave it to him as a token of friendship. The Ancestor didn’t make it through the battle just as he was told. Stone had given his shotgun to Shatar in return. The shotgun had got him through may battles and had insulted a Space Marine to boot. Stone picks up the stick and continues outside, he sees several Squat engineers working on the Tank Hunter. One of the sponsons had been blown off and there were several holes in the tank’s hull. All the tanks had taken damage and lost crewmen. The Vanquisher had lost all but the driver when a Orc Autocannon had blown a hole in the hull and set of some ammunitions. Some of the internal mechanisms were damage but all the weapons still were functioning. It was extremely lucky that the tank didn’t explode. He sees several men moving two large boxes.

“Hey” He yells at the men as he quickly walks over towards them “what’s in the boxes”

“Heat condensing coils for a las cannon sir” One of the men answers

“Where did they come from” Stone asks

The man smiles and points over his shoulder to a man carrying a barrel to a heavy bolter “Mac got them”

“Mac” Stone yells over at his scrounger and motions him over

“Yes sir” Mac answers

“Where did you get these” Stone asks pointing to the large boxes

Mac smiles “Found dum”

Stone smiles “Well make sure there in tanks before the people you found dum from come to find dum back” he tells him in a bad imitation of his voice.

“Of course sir” Mac replies and heads off towards the tanks.

Stone watches the men move off and chuckles to himself. He notices a cloud of dust coming towards them. As it pulls near he sees it’s a chimera.  He starts walking toward it when the loading ramp in the rear lowers. He notices that the colonel’s command squad gets out of the chimera. The colonel soon follows them alone with a women wearing terminator armor. Colonel Victoria sees Stone and starts walking to him with everyone in tow. As the draw near Stone can make out the symbols of the Inquisition on the terminator armor.

“Well, that didn’t take long “ He mutters to himself.

“How’s the arm” Victoria asks when she gets near

“Not to bad” Stone replies ‘Still hurts like hell, but it’s connected”

“Good” Victoria answers as she starts surveying the encampment. She sees men and squats working on the tank hunter ‘How’d my tank do?” she asks

“Your tank?” Stone answers “Which one ma’am”

“The tank hunter” She replies “ I mean that is suppose to be me on the banner. Right?”

Stone looks over at the battle worn banner. It’s of a pale Catachan women in swimwear laying on a towel with a las rifle He looks at his pale skinned colonel and then back to the banner “I never noticed the likeness”

Stone hears the colonel’s grenade launcher Val snort. “Something caught in your nose there, Val?”

She gives him a dirty look but doesn’t say anything. Stone turns back to the colonel “She did fine ma’am till the heat coils blew in the las cannons.” He tells her “ Well, they did blow off a sponson as well. But the squats say the can replace it and make her good as new.”

“You allow them to work on your vehicles” The inquisitor asks

Stone turns toward the inquisitor, before he can say anything the colonel speaks up.

“This is inquisitor Samantha.” The colonel tells Stone “She has some questions about the squats for you”

“You allow them to work on your vehicles?” Samantha asks again

“They work on my vehicles and sleep here as well.” He tells her firmly “Their welcome to use, eat or sleep on anything we have.”

“I see” She replies “and what is that you’re holding?”

Stone looks down at the ancestor’s walking stick. Since Shatar gave it to him he has been carrying it as a swagger stick.

“A gift from the squats” he says holding it out for the colonel to look at “It was the ancestors lord’s”

The colonel takes it and looks it over then gives it to the inquisitor to examine. “The ancestor gave that to you?” she asks

“No ma’am” stone replies “Shatar did. The ancestor didn’t make it through the battle”

“I see” Victoria replies solemnly

“Shatar thought that I should have it as a token of friendship” Stone tells her

The Samantha exams it for a few moments “do you know what this is” She asks

“A walking stick” Stone replies

“No, it’s a force rod” Samantha tells him “Highly priced by psykers”

She hands the rod back to Stone. He takes it and studies it for a moment then turns to the colonel.

“I have my report finished” Stone tells her. “Did you get the casualty list?”

“Yes” Victoria answers “Replacements are on the way”

“How many did you lose?” Samantha asks

Stone looks at his colonel for guidance. She nods her head for him to tell the inquisitor what she wishes to know

“I lost over half of my tactical squad” he tells her “and damn near that from my zappers. I lost three men out of my las cannon squad. Four men were killed in the Vanquisher, three in the Tank Hunter and one in the Exterminator. All three tanks were damage in one form or another.” He looks over at the Ogryn who are adding Orc heads to their chimera. “Only the Ogryn squad didn’t lose a member. Right now my preacher is in the hospital ship. I don’t know how’s he’s doing. Took some shrapnel to the side of the head.”

“He’s alive” Victoria interjects “He lost right eye though. Gonna replace it with a bionic one. Should have him back in a month or so”

Stone smiles a bit. He’s glad that Jacob lived. The two had been through a lot together and he didn’t want to lose him.

“The squats?” Samantha asks “How many did they lose?”

“Don’t know for sure. Shatar only said less than the ancients had said.” Stone tells her

“The ancients?” she asks

“Yes, they believe that their ancient lords can talk to their dead.” He tells her “The ancients had said that we would lose over half our forces. We damn near did.”

“You have any idea what the squats lost?” Victoria asks.

“I saw a gyrocopter go down and at least three tanks blow up” he tells her “I know the Powerboard squad was wiped out as was the blessed ones.”

“Blessed one?” Victoria asks

“yes ma’am” he tells her “They’ve been in the swamp to long”

That brings a smile to Victoria’s face. She hasn’t heard that phrase for a long time. Usually reserved for describing crazy people.

“Continue” She tells him

“The ancient lord is the only other I know for sure.” He tells her “But by the number of bodies I’d say they lost another twenty to forty.”

“I see” Samantha interjects “So they lost about two or three times what you did?”

“Yes” Stone replies “The survivors have returned to the mountains to the east. The engineers and healers have stayed to help us and the wounded.”

“They have asked for nothing in return?” Samantha asks

“No” Stone replies “But I did tell Shatar that I would let the action of the governor of this planet be known”

“And you have.” Samantha tells him “That’s why I’m here”

“Samantha is here to look into the action of the governor and to talk to the squats as well.” Victoria tells him “Which is why your platoon will be staying here for a bit.”

“Ma’am?” Stone replies

“You and your platoon will remain here as a garrison.” Victoria tells him “The Orcs may come back. In the mean time you and your platoon deserve a break. The replacements for you troops are on the way. I’ll be leaving the Ogryn here as well.”

Stone looks over to the Ogryn. They fought well and Malus saved several of Stone’s men to boot.

“The equipment you need for the tanks and weapon replacements are on the way as well” Victoria tells him

“The squats know you.” Samantha interjects “That will be useful in getting them to talk to me. As will dealing with the governor”

He thinks about all that has been said. The squats would proof to be a valuable ally to the Emperor. He knows that he and his troops could use the rest.

“There is one little thing though” Samantha tells him

“Oh?” Stone replies

Samantha looks over to the colonel. “Maybe you should tell him”

“Well, you will not be the only garrison here. The space fleet of the Orcs was not totally wiped out. So there will be marines nearby and in the spaceport as well” She smiles “Ultra Marines to be exact. Led by a certain captain that was insulted when he was a lowly sergeant by a certain Catachan sergeant as I recall.”

“I trust we won’t have that problem again.” Samantha tells him

Stone shrugs his shoulders. “Never can tell.” he says with a smile

Samantha looks him up and down for a moment then turns to his colonel. “Yep, all anyone has to do is talk to him and they know who his commander is.” She says with a smile.

Victoria gets a shocked look on her face “I do believe you just insulted me. A member of the inquisition really Sam I’m shocked”

“Well, I have fight along side with you for a few years.” She explains. “You are…unique to say the least. The men in your command tend to be the same. Still like to know how you manage to keep this one out of the penal colony”

“Been wondering that myself” Stone interjects

“My girlish charm of course” Victoria turns and starts back to her chimera “Carry on lieutenant.”

“Yes ma’am” He replies after her

Victoria stops when she reaches the rear of the vehicle “Oh lieutenant” she yells back.

“Yes ma’am” Stone replies

“Help out Samantha as best you can” She tells him “And no marine insulting. Understood!”

Stone snaps to attention and starts to salute but his wounded arm will not allow it. So he salutes with the left hand instead. Victoria returns the salute, with the wrong arm as well then walks up the ramp. The chimera starts heading back to the spaceport. Stone turns to the inquisitor.

“So what’s first on your list?” he asks

“Let’s go pay the governor a little visit.” she says with a smile

Stone looks at her for a minute then shakes his head.

“What?” She asks

“I always thought that an inquisitor was..well.” he tells her

“Mean, demanding poppas jerk?” she replies

Stone smiles “I was actually thinking ass. No offense.”

“None taken. I’m having a off today” She tells him “I try and do better tomorrow.”

Stone laughs. “Don’t do anything on my account.”

The turn and walk towards a beat up rhino that was “liberated” from the PDF.  The drive to the settlement is long. Stone use the time to get to know the inquisitor and all he can about his colonel. Several interesting stories are told to him. He also learns a lot about the inquisition itself from a rather unique inquisitor.

The report that Inquisitor Samantha files states that the governor had indeed turned to chaos. The governor was taken back to the headquarters of the Inquisition. Five days later he repented and was given the Emperor’s salvation.

The squats did agree to work with the imperial forces. They also agrees to trade large quantities of metals for newer technologies. They agreed to supply limited quantities of the metal they called adamantium as well. To this day the squats have been a valued ally of the Imperium. One Squat warlord is always seen carrying an imperial shotgun on his back. There is also a Catachan lieutenant that carries a force rod as a swagger stick. He tells anyone that questions it that it is nothing more that a squat walking stick.