It had been two weeks now since the first Ork sightings were reported after the defeat of the Necrons and Chaos forces, and Colonel-Commissar Lazarus had received the first batch of reinforcements he had asked for, the Mordian 476th Regiment and the Vahallan 850th Regiment. The Death Korps of Krieg had yet to arrive, but everything here was enough for now. Also, spare parts and supplies for the Baneblade and other vehicles had also arrived as promised. Everything was going well so far, except one thing...
The Tyranids were on their way. To his dismay, rumors of the Tyranids' coming spread like a disease across the Imperial Guard. It came to the point were not even summary executions by himself and other Commissars had any effect on the morale. Colonel-Commissar Lazarus knew only one person who could change that, the Living Saint herself, Saint Magdalena. The beacon of hope the Living Saint represented would be a far greater motivator then the threat of execution.
With a sharp stride, Colonel-Commissar Lazarus made his way to the encampment of the Sisters of Battle's Order of Celestine, where Saint Magdalena resided. He stopped before the doors of her headquarters, before the two Lay Sisters who stood guarding the doors. "I am here to see Her Grace, Saint Magdalena." Lazarus announced.
"Of course, Colonel," The Sister replied. "Please come with me." She led him down a short hallway of gray cinderblock. At a metal door, she knocked quietly. Upon hearing a muffled voice within, she opened the door and gestured the Commissar inside.
Inside, he could see Saint Magdalena kneeling before a statue of the Golden Throne, the stern figure of the Emperor seated upon it, gazing down upon her. She looked up and unclasped her hands, "Colonel-Commissar, I have been expecting a visit from you at some point."
Colonel-Commissar Lazarus stood there, looking at the statue of the Golden Throne with absolute reverence while waiting for Saint Magdalena to personally address him. He looked right down to the Living Saint herself when she spoke to him with her back facing him. "It is a great honor to be standing here with the Living Saint herself, Your Grace, if not for the current circumstances facing us on Kali V." Colonel-Commissar Lazarus said in response, his words echoed with respect and reverence.
"You need not continue with such formality, Colonel," She smiled sadly as she stood. "We are both merely servants of the Emperor." She walked to a basin of cool, clear water and washed her hands. "To what do I owe this honor, Colonel?"
Lazarus was rather intrigued by Saint Magdalena's reaction, it was almost as though she did not feel comfortable with her sainthood. That, or she was just a very humble saint. He would respect that. "Well, in that case, Saint Magdalena, I am sure that you are also aware of the Tyranids' approach from the Ordo Xenos. Unfortunately, just as I was about to marshal the Imperial Guard to face the Orks, I find, to my absolute dismay, that the news of the Tyranids' coming had spread like a plague across the Imperial Guard. It has gotten to the point where not even the actions of myself and other Commissars could remedy the situation. Saint Magdalena, I beckon you to address the Guardsmen"
"The Tyranids…here?" She glanced back at the statue of her God-Emperor. "You wish to test me so, my Lord?" She whispered quietly. Magdalena turned back to Lazarus with a rueful smile, "When it rains it pours, no? I should hardly think you are powerless, Lazarus. You are the Commissar who defeated the Necron…a most singular achievement. I should think the men are as inspired by your example as anything."
She nodded gravely, "But if you think it will inspire the soldiers, I will speak to them. I am not particularly well versed in oratory, I must admit."
"No disrespect meant, Saint Magdalena, but that almost made me laugh because it is so unbelievable. I thank you for your faith in me. I can feel the Emperor's touch of confidence flowing from you already." He added.
