"Fine, tell the squad to report at five-B, deck twenty-nine." "Sir, its not my squad." This made Asmond look up. "Then as of right now you are acting squad leader. Dismissed." Gideon turned on his heels and left the room. When anyone above you said that magic word, the conversation was over. He made his way back to the small box they called his living quarters. Before inserting the crystal, he brought up the communication network. The numbers of his squad mates were pre-installed. Slowly, he picked the keys and formed a message. Orders from Asmond: Tests to proceed in five hours, be ready. Meet in 5-B deck 29. Gideon The message left, and the main screen re-appeared. Taking the old crystal out, Gideon placed the new shard into the feed drive. Pages of manuscript came up, all focusing on tactics, weapon use, formation, and flying instructions. Sighing, Gideon set to work, reading the technical documents. He was almost done when his bracelet charmed. Standing up, he left and jogged to the testing room. Three other initiates were also there. A Chaplain was standing next to Asmond, surveying the marines as they stood in line. Walking up to the sergeant, a techmarine showed him a small piece of scripture. "The calibrations are complete. You may proceed with training brother." The marine said. "Okay initiates, we will be testing you on the use of several weapons, military tactics, and your faith. If you look to your right, you will see the firing range. Stand in front of the booth with your name." Asmond said. Gideon turned and walked to an open window with his name stenciled on it. Several weapons were hung on the panels, going up the left and right sides. About one hundred yards down range was a target in the shape of a man. Their sergeant started speaking again. "You will pick up the weapon I designate, and fire an entire magazine at the target. After which you will replace the weapon, and await further orders. Do you understand me?" "Sir, yes sir." They shouted. "Commence test, bolt pistol." Gideon gripped the pistol. A magazine was laying on the counter in front of him. After locking the magazine in place, he took aim at the target. Daggers of smoke flew into the target, detonating on impact. The pistol clicked on empty and he put it back on the rack. "Commence test, heavy bolter." The sergeant yelled. Loading the large weapon, Gideon shouldered it and aimed down range at the target. When he squeezed the trigger, red bolts went everywhere. The belt of ammo disappeared into the gun and he stopped firing. "Good shot Gideon, you actually hit the target. Commence test, bolter..." The Chaplain narrowed his eyes at Gideon. His left eye looked hollow, as if one could peer into the pupil and see the back of the skull. Slowly the Chaplain activated a recorder. A crystal was sitting upon it, glowing green. "So initiate, how do you feel?" The Chaplain said. Gideon thought for a moment before he responded. "I feel as though I am not trying hard enough. Like I am failing in some way." "Are you?" "I don't know" "What do you know?" "That I am to serve, and die for the chapter." "What does that mean?" "I don't know." Gideon found himself staring at the top bunk. Darkness had once again consumed him in its iron grip. He could hear the wind scraping against the wall. I can hear it Gideon thought to himself. It sounded like a grinder. Sergai said he would get used to it, but so far it was irritating. Physically speaking, his body had finally reached full maturity and he was a marine. The Chaplain ,however, said he needed to examine Gideon's persona more 'intricately'. Apparently there was more to faith than they had once told him. It did not matter. Tomorrow, they were supposed to present the armor. "Don't rely on your armor." The voice said. "Then what am I supposed to do, run buck naked through a combat zone?" "The Chaplain is right. Take your training more seriously. If you want to survive, work hard to learn your equipment. Work harder to know your enemies." "You being the expert?" Gideon asked. He woke to the sound of his bracelet beeping. Moving quickly out the door and into the hall, Gideon ran to the coordinates marked on the metal band. Servitors filled the room with their chanting as they waved incense over the armor to bless it. The suits of armor were suspended by racks on wheels. They were fully assembled and ready to be worn. A few Techmarines were inspecting their workmanship with laser scopes. Malachai stepped from the back of a suit of armor, a crazed look on his face. "Your early." He said blatantly. "But so long as your eager, there are a few things I would like to show you." He motioned to Gideon and rotated the armor rack. A twin cylinder jump pack was locked into place on the armor by an X strap. It connect in the center by means of a push button buckle. The pack looked the same as those in the documents he studied. Except for the small disk in between the exhaust vents. "Its an extra capacitor. It will allow you to achieve greater speeds, up to twenty-five percent more power, but do not use it often until you have fully tested it. If they are stable enough, I will start to equip them regularly." Malachai said "So your using me as a lab rat?" Gideon asked. "I guess you could say that. Also, I took the liberty of extending the barrel of your plasma pistol by three inches..." "They issued me a plasma pistol?" Gideon interrupted. "Yes, well anyway, I have no way of knowing how this will effect the overall performance of the weapon." "Thanks." Gideon said regretfully. Gideon walked out the door. Asmond said he would post the test results outside his door. The initiates were huddled around the sergeant's office, murming. A piece of paper was attached to the wall, revealing numbers and names. Leaning against the far wall was Michael. His arms were folded across his chest and he was looking at the paper. "Good news?" Gideon asked. "I passed." Michael responded. Looking at the sheet, Gideon located his name. Each weapon was listed along with a percentage of accuracy. |
OUTSIDE INFLUENCE VOLUME I By Brother Gideon |
TOMES OF VALOUR |
This story has been reproduced with permission from the author. Many terms used in this story (such as Space Marine, Eldar, and others) are Trademarks of Games Workshop, Inc. Their use here is not intended as a challenge to said trademarks. |
