@Hank @Dannyrulx @NecroKnight @agentmanatee @Andreyich @The Lioness @JbcoolWhen the Commissar approached, Marcus was among those who stopped playing and stood at relative attention. After all, he was only slightly drunk, and the sight of the red cap could sober up even the drunkest and rowdiest of soldiers. When he gave the order to "Carry on" however, he relaxed and turned back to face the Ork ball that his other two comrades were toying with, wondering when he'd get his next hit in. The Commissar who arrived had also taken an interest in their game and had approached the group. "Oh, I see, it's one of those xenos. Hey, fellows, mind if I have a go? They killed a lot of my friends too." The Commissar asked, surprisingly politely. Marcus was a little taken aback at this behavior, being used to Commissars holding themselves higher than the Guardsmen, but he managed to reply properly enough.
"Oh, by all means, sir! Feel free to join in, we're not exactly taking tur-"He was abruptly cut off when he heard the sound of squishing flesh. Upon turning around, he saw the blonde and scarred lady mashing the Ork-ball into a pulp while tears streamed down her face. Their toy was quickly reduced into an unrecognizable mass of meat.
"Aw Hell... I didn't even get ta' dedicate some punts for the 3rd Company..." Marcus thought out loud. Immediately afterwards though, the scarred blonde ran away, most likely out of shame. The Felinid, who had drunkenly introduced themselves as Meris Fixun, chased after her, clearly angry at losing their plaything, shouting "Get back here! By the Emperor's Holy Leg get back here! Why are you ruining others fun here? You owe me one ork skull-ball, ye bigot!". The Cadian officer, whom he learned was named Angelika Carscallen, ran after the two as well. Marcus glanced at the direction they were heading towards, and could hear primal screaming among shouts from various Guardsmen gathered in a crowd.
"Hey! I don't think any of us want ta' head that way!" Marcus shouted after them as he also gave chase. From what he knew about his fellow Guardsmen, crowds and screaming could only ever be because of a fight, or disciplinary action, and his three new friends running headfirst into either one of those things would not end well.
Upon finally catching up with them, he saw a scarred bear of a man staring down Angel and spouting death threats at them.
"Hey! You don't talk to your comrades lik-" Marcus started as he began approaching them, but was quickly pulled back by Hardin, who was in the crowd. "Don't try anything, you'll just make it worse. Dace said he saw a Commissar and an officer-looking fellow heading this way, the last place you want to be when they get here is in the middle of this bloody mess." Hardin quickly explained. Marcus gave an annoyed grunt as he shook off Hardin's palm.
"Who in the Emperor's name does this guy think he is...?" Marcus muttered, referring to the bloodthirsty man.
Hardin's prediction turned out to be correct as a laspistol shot was fired into the air and an intimidating woman with dark skin and a partially mechanical arm, dressed in officer garb walked into the scene. "I'm not entirely sure what began all this, but I'm ending it. I am Captain Weiss. The new Company Commander, and anyone who tries to continue this atrocity of Imperial Discipline, will truly know what discipline is." The new arrival said.
The music had stopped at this point and the Flashflooders stood at attention, fearful of the glad that the situation was diffused without any bloodshed, as it certainly looked like it was about to go that way, and Marcus didn't look forward to starting anything violent with his fellow troops, especially if they were going to be working together again. He needed to be able to trust the people who guarded his flanks.
"Company Commander... I'm guessing that means she's our new boss." Marcus said quietly. "Yeah... She's a lot scarier than our last one too." Hardin whispered back.
Another female officer joined the scene at this point, this one wearing a Commissar's outfit and had a pale skin tone. They did not introduce themselves, but they had an air of cold authority over them, much like the Commissars he had seen during the Vernum Crusade who would gun Guardsmen down for the slightest infractions without blinking an eye. They passed on some orders to Captain Weiss before raising their voice to levels Marcus had rarely heard.
"At zero-five-hundred hours this morning, not too far away, those here present will be prepared for inspection and standing by rank-and-file in the open ground beyond the power-station. It is not hard to miss, so you are expected to be there whatever your current or future condition, everything cleaned and in order. Punishments will be given for insubordination and reprimands for errors in armament and uniform. That is all, carry on." The female Commissar announced.
Captain Weiss continued scolding the man who had the audacity to retort a commanding officer, before addressing the rest of the people there.
“That goes for everyone! I want everyone on the Parade grounds at Zero Four Hundred for my personal inspection so you don’t embarrass me. I think that this has been one embarrassment enough.”The Flashflooders gave quick salutes before dispersing along with the rest of the crowd. "Looks like we're going to be in for quite a ride, gentlemen." Dace said to the group.
"I just hope we don't immediately get shipped into another shitstorm of a crusade like this one. At least not until I at least know the blokes squatting next to me when I bleed to death." Marcus said, joking at the end. "I hope we get something new to ride in. As much as I love the old Chimera, I'd rather have a new set of wheels and walls to put between me and the xenos." Bertolt added as the group returned to their quarters.
Just as Marcus was putting away his armor and getting ready to sleep, Hardin forcefully yanked him away from his bed.
"Hey! What's this for?!" Marcus asked. "
YOU, are not going to rest until your armor is clean!" Hardin replied.
"Come on... I thought you boys were used to the smell by now." Marcus answered back. "Yeah, by the Emperor's divine grace we've gotten used to it. But our new commander isn't and I don't think she's the type who'll take kindly to a soldier smelling like shit during an inspection. Now clean your bloody armor! The whole company might end up getting the whip if one of us fucks up." Hardin retorted.
With a defeated sigh, Marcus set about to clean his stained armor set, hoping to get some sleep early and wondering what their new unit will end up being composed of. The Crusade's survivors were definitely a colorful bunch if this evening's party was anything to go by, but he had no idea whether they'd be able to keep it together as a unit.