3: The Regiment Marches

Sabine was sure Commissar Lady's speech was uplifting and inspiring but she didn't hear a word of it. Her eyes scanned the formation of courageous Guardsmen and women below them but they kept coming back to the man at her side. Octus Humblestock stood straight and proud and Sabine couldn't help but swoon internally at how strong he looked. The figure he cut was as inspiring as a thousand speeches in Sabine's mind.

The Leman Russ tank that the Commissar and her entourage — which Sabine had temporarily joined — stood atop rumbled beneath their feet. Its machine spirit was most likely crying out for battle as its crew struggled to keep hold of the reins of the mighty vehicle. Dozens upon dozens of the tank's kin idled in a formation around them.

Thousands of fighting men and women of the Imperium were arrayed before them. The true anvil of Humanity was the Imperial Guard and Sabine knew that everyone here would lay down their lives for the Emperor. And this was only one prong of the assault on the Hive City. All around the Hive's perimeter, similar forces were arranged, just awaiting the order to march and crush the heretics inside.

Yet despite the impressive gathering of martial might, only one person remained on Sabine's mind. Octus Humblestock, standing beside her proud and robust, exemplified the dignity of the Imperium more than anything else there. He was a picture of perfection and even in the face of a Hive City full of heretics and traitors, Octus never wavered.

The spark of the Emperor's light hidden inside him shone brilliantly. Sabine was sure she was the only one who saw its full glory. Not that infuriatingly beautiful Commissar. Not that down-to-earth and personable friend of his. No, Sabine was the only one who understood how blessed Octus Humblestock was.

The others may have had a good impression of him or generally liked him or respected him, but Sabine knew. She knew Octus Humblestock was special. That he was unmatched by anyone and everyone else in her life. That he was everything she'd been looking for even when she didn't realize she had been looking. And she would keep him safe, whole, and hale through this campaign and then continue to do so until her dying breath.

That keeping Octus safe would allow Sabine to get much, much closer to him was irrelevant, of course. That she may also have to be transferred out of her samey and depressing position in the Sororitas was also irrelevant. If need be, Sabine was even willing to leave the Sisterhood in its entirety if it meant she would be able to follow Octus. She hoped it wouldn't come to that but sometimes the Emperor's will called people in odd new directions. She was sure her superiors would be easy to convince of her self-appointed mission if they only met Octus once.

Sabine believed with all her heart that Octus Humblestock had been sent into her life by the Emperor Himself. As such, she was duty-bound to follow him in every way possible. She would be bound to his side for the rest of her days, whether either of them liked it or not. She ignored the way that concept sent her heart fluttering.

Lady's speech wrapped up with a bang, "-Have faith! We are Humanity's strength personified! He on Terra will watch us with pride as we strike down his enemies! The Emperor protects!"

Sabine had to begrudgingly admit that Commissar Lady was surprisingly respectable when she was serious. She wasn't as rousing and motivating as Sister Josmica but she seemed to command the respect of her troops. She'd stirred them into a suitable fervor and Sabine did not doubt in her mind that these men and women would not hesitate to give their lives for their purpose. If only Lady didn't seem to like teasing Sabine and Octus so much…

Lady must have been timing her speech down to the second. Her last call of 'the Emperor protects!' was answered with stomping feet, zealous cheers, and roaring battle cries. When she stopped to catch her breath, a Servo-skull flew up to her with parchment clasped in its manipulators. Lady took the parchment and nodded seriously. She glanced at her entourage and seemed to take strength in the resolve she saw in them all, including Sabine. The army looked up at the Commissar expectantly.

Lady cleared her throat and raised her voice, projecting the order they were all waiting for out onto them, "The regiment marches!"

The order was met with the stomping of feet and the rumble of engines. Like slowly shifting gears, the whole regiment began to move. Sabine knew that the same was happening to the other regiments that surrounded the Hive as well. Thousands of Humans and hundreds of tons of metal marched in lockstep as they took up a line formation.

Two of the Leman Russ' took the vanguard position as the regiment marched through the near-wastes that bordered the Hive. Two platoons of infantry formed up behind them and then two more vehicles joined the line behind them. The pattern repeated with variations in platoon structure and other vehicles such as Chimeras and Bane Wolves dotting the formation. The tank Lady had requisitioned as a command platform joined the second rank of vehicles.

Sabine couldn't help but mentally curse and praise the Commissar in equal measure for leading from the front. It meant Sabine would have no problem seeing her fair share of battle and it set a good example for the troops behind them. But it also meant that Octus would be put right in the thick of things. At the moment, Sabine's concerns for his safety were fighting against her desire to slaughter heretics. Knowing she wasn't going to change their position at this point, Sabine firmed up her resolve to see every threat to Octus dead before it could even touch him.

As the formation rolled out, Lady scribbled down more orders and sent them off to somewhere with Servo-skulls. The question of where was answered not long after as the booms of an artillery barrage sounded from behind them and a flight of Valkyries roared overhead. Sabine sighed in relief as one of her worries was assuaged. They wouldn't be marching into an urban combat setting with no support from the other elements of the Astra Militarum.

Sabine did not know how Lady came to be what looked to be the main commander of this regiment. It was something of a rare situation. Usually, Commissars were relegated to respected morale support and discipline positions in a regiment. Seeing that Commissar Lady seemed to be at least a competent commander was reassuring though.

A murmur ran through the formation at the sight of their air support and Lady spoke, addressing no one, "Hopefully those boys will have the doors open by the time we get to the gate."

Lacey replied even though she hadn't been addressed, "I'm sure they will, Commissar. I think some of our new recruits were Elysian. Hopefully, they'll have some Drop Trooper blood in them and the initial assault will be a breeze."

Lady snorted, glad for the distraction, "How many times have I told you to just call me Lady in casual conversation? You know I consider you a close friend, Lace, and we're not in combat yet."

Sabine stayed quiet and simply observed the people who would be her companions for the foreseeable future. And Octus… She was quickly coming to find that she could never get enough of watching him, no matter what he was doing. Which right now meant watching him absently do a last-minute weapons check and smiling at his friend and commander. A part of Sabine bristled that that smile wasn't directed at her but she calmed herself with deep breaths and the prospect that one day it would be.

Lacey was visibly flustered as the Commissar threw an arm around her shoulder, "O-Of course… Lady. I consider you a friend as well…"

Sabine recognized the tactic Lady was employing to combat the nerves that came with, well, combat. Her devil-may-care attitude killed some of the tension on top of the command vehicle. And the rest of the troops would see their commander acting confident and carefree and the same would happen for them. Sabine nodded approvingly at the Commissar's wisdom and experience… until Lady turned her attention to Octus.

"And how 'bout you, big guy? You consider me a friend as well?" Lady asked Octus, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Sabine knew Octus' responding smile must have sent the Commissar's heart racing because it did the same for her, "Of course, Lady. You and Lacey are my girls. I'd follow ya to the end of the galaxy."

A shiver of need for Octus to talk about her that way as well ran through Sabine's body. A choked whine escaped her throat, one that no one but Lady noticed. Lady's subsequent tongue click also went unnoticed. 'I've gotta do everything myself, don't I?' Lady thought, rolling her eyes.

"And what about our resident Sister?" Lady asked Octus in that same teasing tone.

Sabine, ignorant of the fact that Lady was trying to help her, glared at the Commissar. Lady stifled a giggle, letting Sabine believe whatever she needed to. Octus shot Sabine a sheepish look.

"I, uh, I reckon I don't really know. We've only just met and I wouldn't wanna overstep, Sister Sabine… I doubt I'm worthy of being your friend, to be honest with ya…" Octus said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Denial rushed out of Sabine's mouth, "T-That's not-… You are! Ahem… I-Indeed… I am willing to declare you a friend of mine, Octus Humblestock. Where you go, I will go as well."

"It's settled then," Lady giggled, leaving Lacey and latching onto Sabine. "We're all friends here now!"

Sabine barely suppressed a growl at Lady's overly-familiar touch, "Aren't you being a little presumptuous, Commissar?"

Lady's smile wouldn't melt butter, "Am I?"

"I only declared Octus as a friend of mine. Correct me if I am wrong but I do not believe that is your name…" Sabine said haughtily, turning away from Lady and turning her nose up.

"It's okay, Sister Sabine," Octus said, smiling that smile that twisted up Sabine's insides so much. "I'll vouch for 'em. Lady and Lacey are some great friends for anyone to have at their back. I'd be honored if ya could call my friends your friends."

Sabine's resistance shattered instantly. She stood no chance against a direct request from the man who inspired such confusing and exhilarating feelings in her. Her face softened and she nodded, "Very well. I shall put my faith in you, Octus Humblestock."

Octus' face hardened at Sabine's declaration of faith, "I'll be sure to live up to that faith, Sabine. All of us will. Right, ladies?"

Lacey, Lady, and Sabine's eyes all went wide at his tone. It was deadly serious in a way that sent shivers down their spines and started a flutter in their chests. Lady and Lacey couldn't nod to his words fast enough. A serious Octus was awe-inspiring and dominating like a tall wave that swept everything away with it. Octus carried himself with the presence of a faithful lord, pledging his loyal service to Sabine's cause.

And then it was gone as quickly as it appeared and the normal carefree and friendly Octus was left in its place, "Great! You've got friends in us as long as you want 'em, Sister Sabine."

"… Thank you," Sabine finally managed to get out, still reeling slightly from the commanding and intoxicating aura that took Octus over for a moment. "I will strive to be worthy of your friendship."

Octus snorted, "Yer more than worthy, Sabine. None of us will turn ya away."

Before Sabine could reply with anything, Lady squealed, "Oh, you two are just so cute together!~"

Sabine and Octus turned to her, blinking in confused shock. Lacey sighed, "I apologize for my Commissar. I'll try and make sure she doesn't say something as unnecessary as that again."

"But Laceeee~" Lady whined petulantly. "Can't you see it too?"

"Of course, I can," Lacey hissed at her. "But I at least have the decency to keep my mouth shut and let it run its natural course."

Sabine and Octus looked at each other as Lacey and Lady started having an intense whispered argument. Neither the Sister nor the Guardsman had a clue what the other two people in their group were talking about. Cute together? What was that supposed to mean? The obvious implication failed to penetrate either of their thick skulls.

A goofy smile came across Octus' face and Sabine couldn't stop herself from giggling slightly while her new friends argued about something or other. She felt like a whole different woman when she was with Octus, and Lady and Lacey by extension. She felt lighter like the weight of the world wasn't so hard to bear, and stronger like the Emperor Himself was standing next to her. It made her realize that she'd never had anyone she considered a friend in her life before Octus. Now she had three. And though they were still only barely familiar with each other, Sabine felt like she could hold them in her heart for the rest of her life. All because Octus had come shining into her life.

But all good things must come to an end eventually. Their convoy approached the walls of the Hive City. Lady and Lacey continued their whispered argument but Sabine was forced to abandon the carefree feelings that her companions had inspired in her. A few deep breaths later and a serious mien had fallen over her face.

Years and years of battle experience and a whole lifetime of preparation in the Schola came to the fore in an instant. If there was one thing Sabine knew, it was glorious combat in His name. It had led to the monotonous and dreary routine that her life had become before meeting Octus — where even death, destruction, and adrenaline were normalized — but Sabine couldn't call those years of experience and preparation years wasted.

Especially not now. Not when she was on the verge of going into battle with not just something to fight for but someone to protect as well. Determination surged within Sabine's heart. She would make sure Octus came out of this without a scratch on him.

Sabine's composure was broken slightly when she saw Lacey smack Lady on the back of the head out of the corner of her eye. Lady pouted while Lacey just rolled her eyes. Then Lady caught Sabine's eye and winked. At that moment, Sabine knew the Commissar's attitude and actions were intentional and calculated to keep the people under her from driving themselves crazy with nerves before the combat started. Sabine's instincts were proved right as Lady went from a teasing friend to a stalwart commander from one blink to the next.

Lady's voice was loud and clear as she projected it out unto her troops, "Brothers! Sisters! Heretics hide behind those walls! Let's show them that they'll never be safe from the Emperor's wrath!"

Lady finished speaking and before the cheering could start, there was a cacophony of noise from the gates they were rapidly approaching. Gigantic gears ground together as the colossal gates — easily a hundred meters tall and 60 meters wide — slowly swung outward. Sabine shot the Commissar a raised eyebrow.

Lady just smirked back at her, lowering her voice from its booming levels to whisper to Sabine, "Half of my job comes down to spectacle. Timing is also important. Inspire the troops properly and the idea that they could flee won't even cross their mind."

Sabine nodded imperiously, "As it should be."

The gate fully finished opening as the first elements of the convoy reached it. On the other side, several platoons of drop troopers stood at attention. They lined either side of the thoroughfare that led from the gate into the Hive City. Lasguns were clutched tight to their chests and their Grav-Chutes idled on their backs even now. They saluted as the convoy and their Commissar passed into the city.

Lady waved them at ease as they passed the drop troopers. The experienced soldier quickly broke their formation, with the rookies following their lead. Some of them joined their fellows in the convoy and others jetted up to better vantage points to watch over the convoy as it made its way deeper into the Hive.

The convoy didn't stop their advance for a moment, even as their formation rearranged itself into something more suited for urban combat instead of a short march. Leman Russ tanks came up to join the vanguard and other vehicles formed up on the convoy's flanks. Most of the squishy infantry platoons were safely ensconced in the middle of the formation.

There were some exceptions though. Sabine and her companions didn't leave their position on top of the command vehicle. They were more exposed that way but Lady felt that being seen by the troops outweighed the added risk. Some platoons and vehicles broke off from the group to take the major side streets they passed. Another exception was a platoon of infantry that peeled off from the main group at a nod from the Commissar and started making their way ahead.

Sabine nodded at the prudence of having a dedicated recon platoon in an urban environment. She had to admit that she was impressed by the Commissar's command. Lady seemed to have a solid grasp of tactics, even if what she really shined in was managing the regiment's morale. The organization of the regiment was up to snuff as well, though Sabine had a hunch that could only be attributed to Lacey. Everyone seemed to know their orders and was willing and eager to carry out them in the name of the Emperor.

And so they rolled through the thoroughfare unmolested, traveling higher and higher into the mess of structures that made up the Hive City. They didn't see almost anyone, heretic or civilian, as they went. Only the occasional gutter rat hiver here and there and they quickly scampered out of the way in the face of an organized military unit rolling down on them.

Still, Sabine kept her head on a swivel. Octus and Lacey engaged in semi-casual conversation but Sabine could feel the tension that had set in over their small group. Sabine regretted that she couldn't devote all her attention to making sure the Guardswoman didn't do anything untoward to her Guardsman but Octus' safety took priority. Also, hers? Where did that come from?

Sabine shook that strange but not unwelcome idea out of her head, eyeing the openings in the thoroughfare's walls that couldn't be called windows no matter how charitable one was being. She absently took in the decay and ruin that had taken over this Hive City. It was par for the course when dealing with heretics but Sabine always felt it was a shame that Mankind's creations could degenerate to this state.

"It's quiet," Octus said softly, surprising Sabine as she realized he was right behind her.

"Indeed," Sabine said when she managed to suppress her shock. "Tis nothing to worry about. I'm sure the heretics have set up some pathetic, cowardly ambush for us but it shall be easy to crush."

"True. It'd be mighty rude of 'em if they didn't even come out to greet us," Octus joked goodnaturedly but his smile had a bit of bite to it for the first time Sabine had seen.

That edge she saw in his smile sent thrills of heat to somewhere deep in Sabine's core and she found herself smothering a blush, "Oh my… You should talk like that more often, Octus."

Octus cocked his head, "What? Why?"

Sabine looked a bit confused herself, "I do not know. All I know is that I liked it."

Octus was struck almost speechless at Sabine's candidness, "I-I see…"

The two lapsed into silence. Octus struggled not to blush as a strange warmth warmed his chest. Sabine didn't notice his struggle, thinking the silence was a comfortable and normal one. She scanned their surroundings with a small smile growing on her face. Their interaction was noticed but went mostly ignored by Lady and Lacey. Lady smirked before going back to her work, promising herself that she would tease the two of them later. Lacey just rolled her eyes fondly at them.

Someone within the command vehicle reached out of the hatch and handed Lady a Vox-caster and Lady barked into it, "Lady. What've you got for me, Grimm?"

The crackling reply that came through the Vox's speakers was unintelligible to Sabine and Octus. Whatever Lady heard had her face set like it was carved from stone. She cursed under her breath before giving the person on the other end of the Vox-caster a set of orders.

"Alright, Grimm, take your boys and haul ass back here. And keep your guest safe and sound. I want to talk to them…"

With that, Lady handed the Vox unit back down into the command vehicle and turned to address the rest of them with a toothy smile on her face, "Good news! The recon squads didn't run into any obvious encampments for us to ram ourselves against. I wouldn't discount the possibility of an ambush but it seems the idiots are giving us a bit of time to get comfortable.

"And even better, Sergeant Grimm is bringing back a present for us! She managed to capture a little birdie for us to get to sing…I'll be calling a halt as soon as they're back so we can greet our new friend properly…"

Sabine nodded, satisfied with the menace Lady was displaying and the initiative she was taking to make sure their heretical guest was comfortable, "Very good, Commissar. By your leave, I would like to catch up on some sleep before the fun starts."

Lady nodded her permission to Sabine but Lacey was a little dumbfounded at the request, "You're going to take a nap?"

"Yes," Sabine said. "And I suggest you do the same, Coporal Braal. You should learn quickly to find rest when you can. I doubt we will have many opportunities shortly."

"She's right, Lace," Lady added. "Trust her experience over your preconceptions of what war is. We won't be moving until we're done with our guest and there's a whole regiment here to watch over us. You won't find much better opportunities to nap than this."

Lacey gaped at them both for a second but recovered quickly, "Yes, Lady… I-I guess I'll try and take your advice…"

Lady dismissed Lacey with a wave and a fond smile on her face. Lacey climbed down into the vehicle below them to try — and ultimately fail — to nap. Lady's smile turned to Sabine and Sabine couldn't help how the corners of her lips twitched up to match the Commissar. It really was amazing how quickly she'd become fond of these three.

"And you, big guy?" Lady asked.

Octus waved off the question, "Nah, I'm good, Lady. Got more than enough sleep last night. I never seem to have a problem sleeping before battles like this. I'll stay up with ya and keep watch."

An amused smirk settled onto Lady's lips, "What, don't think all these boys and girls are enough security for lil' ol' me?"

"One more pair of eyes never hurt anyone," Octus shrugged.

Sabine nodded, "Your vigilance is admirable, Octus Humblestock. I shall trust you to watch over me while I rest."

Sabine settled in against their tank's turret. Octus flashed her that goofy smile of his that never failed to make her stomach do flips for some reason. Sabine secured her bolter in her arms, leaned back, and closed her eyes, fighting a blush the entire way. With the long practice of falling asleep on dozens of battlefields, she quickly drifted off. Octus' smiling visage remained burned onto the back of her eyelids even as the sandman claimed her…