Marsh Silas IIS: Squad Stories

Chapter 2

Fort Carmine—the regimental depot and the home of the 10th Kasrkin Regiment. It was one of the many garrisons within Kasr Proelium and certainly the grandest. High, white ferrocrete walls crowned with crenelated battlements overlooked the surrounding, jagged roadways. At each corner of the pentagon-shaped fortress was a great Bastion-pattern tower topped with lascannons or autocannons. The barbican gate was taller than a Sentinel combat walker and the Bastion towers on either side bristled with heavy weapons. A massive red-gold Aquila icon stood vigil over the gate. Beneath it was a bronze plaque which read, 'Fort Carmine: House of the Red Banner Regiment: Defenders of Cadia Now and For All Time!'

Hyram finished his lho-stick as he approached the open gate. Flicking it away, he dug into his coat's breast pocket and pulled out his identification papers. A party of five men from the Regimental & Facilities Security Force—the RFSF—were manning the barbican. The officer of the watch, Lieutenant Hendrickson, held up his hand.

"Halt, present your ID."

Hyram opened the little black booklet which had a golden Astra Militarum icon stamped on the front. Hendrickson took it, examined the open page, and then snapped it shut. "Thank you, Captain Hyram. You may proceed."

Uttering a polite farewell, Hyram passed through the giant gate. The day was sunny, but walking through the enormous barbican was like stepping into the darkest cavern. His footsteps echoed on the rockcrete pavement. When he exited to the opposite side, he held up his hand to shield his eyes.

The grass of the courtyard was freshly cut by servitors and the sweet scent hung in the air. Men walked across the grass, others chatted, and a few ran around on the gravel perimeter in their physical training uniforms. Officers and their aides hurried towards the triangular shaped headquarters tower which stood at the opposite end. Everyone called it the 'top,' as it mirrored the highest point of the fortresses' pentagonal shape. It was always busy with the horde of Militarum, Administratum, Navis Imperialis, Adepta Sororitas, and Adeptus Mechanicus staff which composed the bloated headquarters company.

In the center, the huge regimental standard fluttered beautifully in the warm breeze. Hundreds of Kasrkin in their duty uniforms were assembled around it. This was the 2nd Company—Beta, call sign Blizzard—commanded by Captain Hereford. The review appeared to be going smoothly as Hereford and his command squad glided through the formation. So as to not get in the way, Hyram skirted along the gravel until he got to Fifth Row, where the 1st Company's troops were housed.

Taking off his cap, Hyram went through the massive doors where he entered a well-lit, tiled floor lobby. On either side were two staircases led up the next floor, which had a balcony overlooking the entrance. The company's ceremonial banner hung from the railing; depicted in the center was an gold-trimmed ebony cross flanked by fields of crimson. A circle in the middle of the cross displayed the regimental and company numbers.

Below the flag were polished wooden cases with glass plates. Inside were picts from Kasrkin long-dead, the remnants of a Carapace chunk or a damaged weapon carried by fallen heroes, small banners and flags, helmets, and more 1st Company memorabilia. Other display cases contained relic weapons—the Hellgun of a famous trooper or the sword of a noted officer. Quite a few contained cushioned trays carrying dog tags; some were rusty, others damaged, and some were still glinting in the light. Tucked against the stairwell walls were small dioramas of famous battlefields; miniature Kasrkin stormed up hills seized by xenos or held redoubts against rampaging Orks.

In the center was a marble obelisk wreathed with laurels. The top was fashioned into the shape of the Aquila. Inscribed along the walls of the pillar were the names of every soldier who had died in the company. The front and left sides were completely covered while the back and right still had about half their respective spaces.