*****
As the Master of Recruits for the Undaunted Chapter Balta enjoyed the sound of bolter fire, there was nothing more satisfying to Balta than hearing neophytes training, however something was wrong. The bolter fire was not interrupted and that meant his neophytes were not receiving proper instructions. The Sergeants should be making adjustments to their aim which would result in sporadic gun fire, but he was hearing an almost robotic sound of reload and fire. Balta walked around the exercise hall examining the gun ranges noticing that two of his Sergeants were absent. He sped up his pace to the surveillance area, the one place that continued to be a distraction for his veterans.
The discussion between the three Sergeants seized once Balta entered the room. The surveillance area was full of scanners and monitors which tracked the surviving recruits constantly observing them as they attempted to pass the trial. “I thought Oligi was watching the trial, how many Sergeants were assigned to this position?” Balta said looking the two Sergeants in the eye.
“One Sir, a rumor was spreading that a prospect passed the trial in 3 days breaking the record in half, sir”, he said in an apologetic tone.
If Balta was impressed you could not see it in his face, “The future of our Chapter is not receiving proper training and that is your response. Are we teaching them how to abandon their post?”
Abandon a word associated with fear, something that an Astartes in the Undaunted Chapter knew nothing about. A clear insult that made both Sergeants change facial expressions, one managed to squeeze words through his teeth, “Balta, I cannot speak for him but my neophyte was given specific instructions, I wanted a quick glance at the record holder and look” he said while pressing one of the monitors with his finger. “His twin brother is fighting off Deji’s venom.”
“Return to your post”, Balta said partially satisfied that he managed to rattle his sergeants.
Once they were gone he studied the monitor closely, intrigued by the prospects vital signs. Oligi a Sergeant who was responsible for training three of the Undaunted Chapter’s Captains and the clear successor to Balta, asked “Do you see that?”
“Yes, his heart is racing despite the paralyzing venom, while the other ones pulse is calm and steady.” Balta said.
‘The Deji’s venom is very potent even an Astartes would struggle against it’ Oligi turn and looked Balta in the eye, ‘His twin pulse has been like that since day 3, calm as if he is ready for anything’.
‘It is impressive.’ Balta said while closing his eyes.
Oligi was caught off guard by the choice of words, he has never heard Balta give anyone a compliment, it has always been ‘Not Bad’
or ‘Getting Better’.
“What is impressive?” Oligi finally said.
Balta after half a minute open his eyes and responded, “If his brother makes it to the keep, you are to train them both keep them together for as long as possible. As for your question do you know the worse type of enemy?”
Oligi shrugged his shoulders and Balta responded as he left the room, “The enemy that refuses to die and the one who is prepared to die. Something you will not have to teach those two.”
*****
Thanks, I had alot of work to do for my job I will try to get faster.