Shouting & cheers echoed through-out a dimly lit hanger storage bay, both guard & navy personnel filling the place, while bookies kept taking bets & running the numbers & odds from a slightly elevated platform where some of the officers had gathered to watch over the fighting match taking place in the center of the crowed. Two navy armsmen began charging at a third opponent the closer one lunging wildly only to miss and have his arm caught before getting thrown off his feet & smacking down onto the metallic floor recovering from the shock of the landing just in-time for a heavy boot to come stomping down onto his face leaving him immobilized in pain holding his now broken nose, The second armsman trying to gain the advantage quickly closed in towards the turned opponent only to receive a surprising swift kick to the face, as his opponent after downing his comrade half-spun planting the sole of their boot as if perfectly timed into his nose which send the second armsman flying feet over head before abruptly landing on his backside wincing in pain as well as he landed on the metal floor.
Cheers & cries erupted from the crowed simultaneously as a self appointed would-be announcer yelled over all the noise from the elevated platform
"And that's all eleven contestants eliminated!, Once again station Agi-731 proves the victor! please everyone settle all bets, collect any winnings!, also don't forget to get your wagers in on next weeks squad v squad mock training battle! Agi-731 bravo-2 going up against the war hounds, AkA squad zetta from the heavy cruiser indefatigable!". The mixed crowed began to disperse as naval orderlies & medics jogged over to attend to the wounded contestants & escort them to the medical bay, one walking over to check the victor who only had to help treat & patch-up a few minor scrapes and scratches while he spoke.
"You know sergeant, you could try to be a little less rough on them" Natasha sighed turning away as she spoke
"then they wouldn't toughen up or learn anything...".
Natasha walked up towards the elevated platform saluting one of the officers as she approached
"Very well done Sergeant i finally got the indefatigable's captain to stop bragging about his crew" the man trailed off chuckling to himself in amusement
"Ah! here's your winnings from a little bet i made on your behalf enjoy it sergeant!" Natasha caught the overstuffed pouch the man threw towards her & then saluted him again
"Thank you Rear-Admiral Tann sir!". She went to leave when one of the admirals subordinates brought him a dataslate,
"Wait Sergeant..." the Admiral took a deep sigh before he continued
"Your transfer-orders finally came through... a ships on the way to escort you to your new assignment... alas i'm to lose both my best drill-sergeant & my best combatant". he said half jokingly but couldn't help notice Natashas face light-up with excitement at the news, She gave a sharp salute
"Permission to go prepare my things sir!" the officer nodded and Natasha ran off towards her quarters.
*****
One week later...
Natasha was coming through a busy arrivals terminal in an extremely large spaceport carrying several near-bursting dufflebags & her guard rucksack, as she stood in queue at a security kiosk amongst many well-off looking people & their servants or security staff, Natasha could feel a lot of curious eyes fixed on her, but kept her cool without looking back as the line slowly progressed. As she approached the Kiosk one of the security staff looked her over before speaking
"excuse me documents please" Natasha handed over several papers & a dataslate which were thoroughly inspected, before the the man looked back at her
"I'm sorry, but please follow me for inspection of your baggage". an echo of whispers erupted from the line behind her as two guardsmen appeared behind Natasha to escort her along with the officer she'd been speaking to.
After traversing several small corridors they arrived in a small office where a differently dressed officer was waiting, her escorts turned and left after a wave from their superior who'd then handed the documents back to Natasha before leaving himself.
"Sorry about all that!, its was for appearances sake since you arrived in the public area, a minor screw up by the administratum in how your transport was arranged!, But anyhow! it's good to see you've arrived now if you'll follow me". Without a word Natasha hurriedly followed the officer who was moving at a very brisk pace likely due to being needed elsewhere, He handed a file containing 'green-sheets' to Natasha when she managed to catch up while carrying her luggage making it a bit of an awkward struggle to grab the file when it was handed to her.
"That's a basic details of the current assignment and please make sure you don't lose it!, last thing we need is some local stumbling upon it and everyone finding out about this operation, in which-case please save the imperium time and paperwork & just execute yourself!". Natasha glared at the man while keeping pace she was about to retort when the officer slowed and hung his head slightly before speaking
"Sorry, very busy and short on time i shouldn't take it out on you, your not some newfish fresh out of training after-all".
The officer bowed as way of an apology before continuing to lead the way
"Anyway only a select few know of the inquisitions presence here, the driver who'll be taking you to meet the team at a safe-house is one of the few but he's needed elsewhere as well so when your dropped off you'll be reporting in on your own!, you can probably ask any questions you may have there when you meet the inquisitor in charge of it, And with that! i wish you goodluck!". As the officer finished his speech he opened a door guarded by several heavily armed officers of the adeptus arbites where a vehicle sat waiting. After Natasha loaded her luggage the officer gave a salute before abruptly heading back into the building, Natasha got into the vehicle and the driver immediately drove off remaining silent for the entire journey leaving Natasha to read through the file she was given.