Marsh Silas IIS: Squad Stories

Chapter 16

"And there, descending as though they were angels, come Knight-Lieutenants Cross and Hyram and their party, landing with the skill and precision expected of any Kasrkin!"

The narrator's excited, expeditious tone accompanied black and white footage taken from multiple picters present throughout the kasr. Marsh, carrying Lauraine, Isenhour, who carried Romilly, Hyram, and Drummer Boy gently touched down on the asphalt to uproarious applause by the onlookers gathered below Drasquez Tower. It was a graceful landing and the chosen angles which focused on the platoon leader made him appear very heroic. His stoic gaze and calm expression, accompanied by Lauraine's wide-eyed marvel, only heightened this effect. Many members of the crowd rushed forward to grab their hands and congratulate the Kasrkin.

As the footage ended with triumphant brass and strings played over a shining, golden Aquila, the lights of Rynald Ceremonial Hall brightened once more. Marsh Silas and his platoon sat perpendicular to the stage underneath the massive screen and the audience before it. The crowd stood, turned, and applauded the Kasrkin sitting in a wide booth above them. The men and women of Bloody Platoon smiled bashfully, nodded, and waved.

Marsh Silas lifted his left arm, causing the many crosses and medals on his chest to tremble. He was clad in a green tunic, white trousers, and black leather boots. Golden shoulder boards complemented golden buttons going down the right side of his tunic's lapel. A brown belt wrapped around his waist with a golden Aquila on the front. On his right side, a white cord ran from his lapel to the shoulder board. Attached to the board was a golden badge bearing the Astra Militarum's winged skull. To his left, Hyram wore a similar outfit, while Bloody Platoon wore dress uniforms of green and khaki patterns.

"They conveniently left out the immediate aftermath in which we had to run for our lives from falling debris," Hyram whispered.

"Or how our escape was a desperate effort devised by Isenhour at the last possible moment," Marsh dryly added.

Even as the screen withdrew into its mount, the applause continued. The reverberation within the chamber was deafening. Rynald Ceremonial Hall was a great auditorium of white marble flooring, smooth granite columns along the walls, and rows upon rows of finely carved benches made from axel-trees. Red banners hung between every column, flags hung over the main entrance and the two side exits, and oil paintings hung on the walls both on the first and second floors. Above, an armaglass dome protected by a blast shield that could be closed or opened by the push of a button allowed blazing evening sunlight to pour through.

Cadian officers, dignitaries, priests, and nobles filled the seats and the balconies above Bloody Platoon's booth. Among them were many off-world visitors; politicians, merchants, and aristocrats all clapped. Picter-equipped Servo-skulls drifted above the crowds, capturing the event. Many cherubs floated among them as well, their pale angelic wings flapping elegantly. The child-like constructs sang and chirped in High Gothic. Chubby hands dipped into wicker baskets filled with flower petals which were then scattered over the heads of the platoon and the stage.

"Those little things unnerve me, Knight-Lieutenant," Lauraine said.

"You are not alone in this regard," Marsh muttered, glancing up at one who cooed at him. A dribble of saliva ran down its cheek as it smiled. "I've not seen many in my time."

"I'm already uncomfortable enough as it is," she continued, adjusting the leather collar of her khaki uniform. "I've not been to a ceremony since I graduated from Whiteshield training and entered the Interior Guard auxiliaries."

Marsh Silas gently pushed her hands down and fixed the collar for her. Lauraine leaned closer to allow him, but she averted her eyes from his.

"It will be easy. You walk onto the stage with us, step forward when your name is called, they pin the medals to your chest, shake your hand, and salute you. You salute, take a step back, and your part is done. When they finish, Warden-Colonel von Bracken will share a few words and then we will depart for the banquet hall."