Thus Did The Imperium of Mankind Fight There

Part 33 New Mission

Minerva was slightly befuddled at the Colonel's blunt statement as well as to why she'd been assigned a new mission instead of simply being cuffed and thrown into the brig. 

Hesitantly, she questioned her CO. 

Minerva Antioch: Sir, with all due respect. What the frak is going on here?

Colonel Faustus stared her in the eye for a moment before letting out a tired sigh. Looking back up, he said, "A lot, Lieutenant, a whole damn lot has been going on since you left". 

Reaching down under his desk, the Colonel pulled out a data slate. After manipulating the device, he laid it down in front of her. Displayed on its screen was an image of a Gate taken in the night exactly like the one the army she was a part of surrounded. 

This one, however, was illuminated by the muzzle flashes of gunfire clearly not of either Imperial or native origin. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "Sir, what's this"?

Colonel Faustus's face grew more serious before he began to speak. 

Colonel Faustus: That, young blood, is the battle that took place at the second Gate just last night...after an unknown, likely human force, moved through it. 

Minerva's eyes were wide now, and she blurted out. 

Minerva Antioch: WHAT!!! S-Sir, this changes everything!

Colonel Faustus nodded and continued.

Colonel Faustus: In more ways than you can imagine lad.

Pushing himself up from his desk, the Colonel began pacing back and forth, head bowed deep in thought. Narrating the situation to the young officer, he spoke.

Colonel Faustus: This world, Miss Antioch, can either be a great boon to the Emperor's Imperium or a nightmare.

Looking up again to stare down at the fresh junior officer he asked.

Colonel Faustus: Do you comprehend the significance of what we're doing, Lieutenant?

Almost instinctively, Minerva repeated the preachings of the Iterators heard by every stratum of Imperial society.

Minerva Antioch: To unite humanity beneath the enlightened domain of the Imperium and the rule of the Emperor. To spread the Imperial truth and bring the galaxy under the rightful control of Mankind.

The old veteran gave a hearty chuckle at her response before speaking.

Colonel Faustus: Spoken like a true servant of the Emperor, but I was talking about what we are doing on this planet specifically.

The Colonel's tone turned grave as he explained.

Colonel Faustus: If this planet is brought under compliance, we can have a source of all the raw resources we could possibly need to supply Terra if not the entire Sol system. Preliminary aerial scans have already revealed this world to be rich in metal; including adamantium and covered in fertile soil able to grow enough food for hundreds of billions. 

He paused for a minute before continuing.

Colonel Faustus: All of this at the literal doorstep of the Throneworld not through months, if not years, of perilous warp travel.

The office room was silent as Minerva realized the potential importance of this backwater world she'd written off as having no value to the Imperium.

Then the man spoke again.

Colonel Faustus: Now all of that is threatened, no, the very heart of the Imperium is threatened. The Gate we guard upon this planet leads to just a handful of kilometers away from the Emperor's own golden throne. If a force large enough to threaten Terra lands on this defenseless dirtball, then they will be but a stone's throw away from the Imperial Palace and destroying the Astronomicon, plunging humanity into Old Night once more.

Colonel Faustus placed both of his hands on his desk as he leaned down and glared at his subordinate.

Colonel Faustus: Do you understand now, Lieutenant?

He spoke sternly.

Minerva's back was now sweating, and her eyes were wide open as the significance and danger of the Gate dawned on her. Still, there was a question that lingered in her mind.

Minerva Antioch: S-S-Sir, why are you telling me this?

The Colonel lowered himself back onto his chair. He tapped his desk with his right pointer finger repeatedly before sighing again.

Colonel Faustus: If you want to know what kind of hole you've dug for yourself lass, then you're gonna have to meet some fellows. I shouldn't be the one to tell you.

Pressing a rune activating a voice receiver connected to a speaker outside of the office, Colonel Faustus said, "She's ready for you sir".

Minerva turned around in her seat as she heard the door open and immediately jerked up and saluted the two figures who'd entered the room. She instantly recognized who they were, any member of the Imperial military would.

The first one who entered was male at least 6 '2 feet tall and wore a heavy greatcoat, etched with protective wards and lined with silver. The other was female, standing at 5 '2 feet tall and wore much the same, except hers were lined with gold. Each wore a brimmed hat with a stylized =I=.

Minerva Antioch: Hail honored agents, I-I wasn't aware I would be meeting any members of the Emperor's esteemed Adeptus Umbrex.

Minerva exclaimed with haste, her back now thoroughly soaked in her own sweat. The first Imperial Agent's gaze was cold, and his skin was pale with his eyes sunk deeply into his face.

For a minute, he was completely silent and still, then he spoke.

Agent Orval: Second Lieutenant Minerva Antioch of the 31st C A R Cthonian Wolves. I am Agent Orvus of the Silver Order. Note: 1

He then turned to the side and gestured to the woman behind him.

Agent Orval: This is Agent Livia of the Gold Order; she has just recently arrived from Terra. Note: 2 She is under orders by the Sigilite himself to judge whether the newly appeared force is guilty of any heresy. Note: 3

Agent Livia nodded to her colleague before turning her attention to Minerva. Walking up to the petrified officer, who still had her hand raised in salute, she smiled.

Minerva was slightly caught off guard. The smile looked almost innocent, and the Agent's face was fair, neither too white nor tan. Her features were deceptively endearing, and she appeared to be no older than her mid-twenties, making one feel as if he or she were meeting with a kind neighbor.

Agent Livia: Hello Lieutenant Antioch. I won't mince words so let's get straight to the point. Oh, and you can lower your hand now.

Minerva hurriedly brought her hand back to her side.

Agent Livia: Your...unorthodox actions have garnered the attention of quite a number of those in high places. Thanks to that, your unit has been chosen by Lord Taranis to make first contact with the new...visitors. 

Agent Livia paused and her face turned from one of cheer to one of warning. 

Agent Livia: I have been assigned to accompany your task force by order of the Sigilite and with the sanction of the Lord of Lightning. You are only permitted to inform those placed under your command of your mission. Should you inform anyone, ANYONE  else of what your new assignment is, then both you and all those within earshot will be...silenced. 

Comments would be appreciated 

Note: 1-The Silver Order is this universes Ordo Malleus 

Note: 2-The Gold Order is this universe's Ordo Hereticus 

Note: 3-Heresy in this universe means an act that threatens mankind.