[center][h2]Part 2[/h2][/center]

I had to act the part of an injured man for the remainder of the journey. Well, a slightly more injured man. However, with the aid of Morek and Sel and two weeks of rest, by the time we entered the Charadon Sector, I felt well enough to walk on my own and even laugh without doubling over. Emperor curse my wit and plans. 

Speaking of curses, the more I learned of Balor, the planet we were to make berth at, the less enthused I was. Balor was almost that of a class L planet, which meant nearly all year round it was either chillingly cold or freezing, yet due to the fact that most of the planet is covered in less than 97% water, it fits into the N category according to the administratum. A mining world rich in mineral resources, it's fortunate the cities are situation amongst rocky outcroppings of volcanic activity, keeping the urban zones (relatively) warm and habitable. 

I was aware there were a small collection of Valhallans aboard, and after Corporal Seldopn gave me a full report of the trial, I asked Morek to call upon Commissar Petrovska to inquire on how to better equip men for winter conditions and to thank her for presiding over judgement dutifully and without bias. Perhaps I laid it on too thick, for I waited a standard Terran day, only for Morek to return with a carefully sealed letter. I broke the commissariat seal, opened it, and read it aloud. 

[center][i]"Perhaps Later"[/i][/center] 

                                                                                                                  [center]-[i]Commissar Petrovska[/i].[/center] 

Fortunately, we arrived in the material plane with no incident, and began our slow descent to join the Merchant Fleet ships of Carracks, Tarrasks, and Clippers orbiting the planet. By this time, word of my miraculous survival had spread, only further enflaming the rumors of our victory on Kaurava III. This ran through my thoughts as I stood there, joined by Corporal Seldon by the observation window on the portside recreation deck. Morek stood with us, chewing some jerky as always, though today he must have felt festive, for he had a mug of Raenka in his hand. Squats were known for holding their liquor like no other, so I allowed it, at least in the recreation area. 

"Another mining world..." I mused aloud. It seemed I was destined to be nothing but a guaruntee of the imperium's corporate interests. Granted, I suppose it was better than getting my head sliced off by a nob's choppa, but it did give much room for the romantic or the glorious. 

"Cold, not much to do..." Sel said, and to my surprise she was chewing a bit of jerky too when I glanced at her. Seems she and Morek were friends, or implied ones. He doubted they had spoken more than three sentences to each other. 

A faint vibration shook the deckplates beneath our feet, too familiar even to register consciously, and we watched one of the shuttles break off from the troopship and approach the planet. Engines flared brightly and corrected its course, before it disappeared amongst the thousands of other shuttles traveling to and from the starport below. Oddly enough, despite its frigid conditions and industry, it was quite a populous planet. Twelve billion souls lived on its surface, either in the cities or in underground hab-blocks, or more rarely traveling nomads that scratched a brief living amongst the snow and rocks. I was curious on what it looked like landside. Our regiment was second in line to go, in four standard hours from now. 

"Better go collect the men," I said, turning and tapping my cane on the ground. I had requisitioned one be made for me, mostly for appearances, but I found I liked it. An imperial eagles head at the top, it was made with durasteel and fashioned with the blue and green of my office, courtesy of the injustice done to someone of my stalwart reputation. Together, we made our way to the barracks to make sure all the men were ready to move out. We were known for being over eager. I was not about to ruin that reputation but us lagging behind.