Episode Five: Uprising on Pan Arcadia
Imperial Planet Pan Arcadia
Outskirts of capital center of Nova Prime
Fort Macharius
In the glistening sun of the morning hours, the black painted staff car drove casually along the winding and twisting road which led up towards Fort Macharius, one of the three Imperial Guard garrison bases on the entirety of Pan Arcadia. Fort Macharius itself was near ancient, having been built many centuries ago along the foot hills of the Gebbet mountains, a wide stretching range of mountains which lead from the shores of the Adrian Sea where the city of Nova Prime herself lay, to the deep inner lands of the continent. The way to the fort, which sat on an elevated tract of land high in the foothills, was rather long and uneventful. While usually the land was colorful and lush, as the area was very much forested, the color of the lands had disappeared. Winter was well on it's way, and the leaves of the trees had fallen onto the forest floor, leaving only the tall and majestic evergreen trees to provide any color in the bleak mountains.
The weather recently had been very clear in the area, which was good news, especially to the farmers of the lowlands between the city of Nova Prime and the Gebbet mountains. The area was prone to snow storms during this time of year, and the brisk cold wind which descended from the heavens and over the land was a clear sign of how cold it really could get. Though, with prayers to the God-Emperor, one could only hope the weather would remain calm for the coming winter. Unknowingly, not all prayers were directed towards Him.
Overhead, high above the staff car, a wing of avenger ground attack aircraft flew by in formation. The aircraft were camouflaged with light olive green and tan, making them out to be of PDF origin. If one could see the aircraft up close, they would spot the PDF emblem. While not an unusual sight to see, today of all days it was expected to see PDF troops and vehicles out. Today was, after being a long time in the making, the annual PDF full planetary training day. While it was actually a week long, today was the start of the training, which was created to ensure that the PDF was always ready and could cooperate in war games on a mass scale with other PDF elements around the planet. The Imperial Guard stationed on the planet were asked to sit out this year, as this was solely to ensure the PDF could handle things themselves, and it was just as much training as it was a show to the inhabitants of the planet, letting people know that their own people could hold their own without foreign Imperial assistance.
Within the staff car, one of the two passengers watched the Avengers fly overhead from the backseat window. Once they were well out of sight, the man sat back, nodding to himself. "You know, those things bring back good memories. I can't tell you how many times those things have been there to get my ass out of a hassle on the ground. I'm glad we'll never have to know the feeling of those things bearing down on you." The man said, glancing over at his compatriot beside him. The other man was dressed in high black boots, which had putte strips wound up tightly up his leg. His black pants were neatly tucked into the boots, and also poofed out slightly along the sides of his legs. Obscuring most of his upper uniform was a large black great coat, which was tied with the attached belt around his waist. Sitting on his lap was the unmistakable peaked cap of an Imperial Commissar, which happened to have the markings of Higaran origin. His cleanly shaven face was very sharp, with traditional Higaran characteristics such as high cheekbones and gaunt eyes. His brow and face was arranged in such a fashion that it naturally appeared he was lightly scowling, something which was often joked about amongst the Higarans.
The commissar turned to look at the man and smiled. "I don't care whose side you're on. I'm an imperial and even I'm scared by the sound of those things. You know some of those things happen to have dive sirens on them? What fething maniac thought about putting screaming sirens on those things? The Navy, that's who. Maniacs, the lot of them." The reply issued a laugh from both men. Unlike the commissar, the other man wore no great coat. His uniform from the waist down was identical, but his dark blue coat with red trim was clearly displayed to all. A black leather belt wrapped around the man's waist, with smaller straps going over his shoulders and under his uniforms epaulettes to help hold it up. A black leather laspistol holster was situated on the right side of the belt, with two small leather pouches on the left. The man also had a peaked cap, but unlike the the commissar's, which met with a point at the top, this one was rounded and lower, marking him as a Higaran officer. The captain ranks on his collar ensured there was no doubt as to who he was. Unlike the commissar, this man appeared less like a traditional Higaran, with a somewhat rounder face but still with high cheekbones. As per Higaran tradition and culture, the captain had a full and styled mustache on his lip. It was in stark comparison to his shaved head.
"Either way, the PDF here certainly know what they're doing. It was...odd, though, I must say, that they were rather unwilling to let us watch them on their parade ground. It seemed less like protocol and more like they simply didn't want our presence." The captain said, prompting the commissar to offer a thoughtful nod. "Perhaps. A shame, though. I was looking forward to seeing them perform in formation. Speaking of formations, do you know what the colonel has planned for us today, Gustav?" He asked, and Gustav, the captain and Higaran company commander, looked at the commissar with a wry grin. "You're the regiment's commissar, Amsel. You tell me." Commissar Amsel made a 'hmph' sound, frowned, and glanced out of the window. "Try not to remind me."
The Higaran company commander Gustav and Commissar Amsel, who also happened to be the regimental commissar as he was the ranking commissariat representative as he stood at Captain-Commissar, idly chatted as their staff car continued on the long and winding stretch of pavement which led them to Fort Macharius, which happily set nestled in the backwoods and foothills. The driver, as requested, turned on the vox on the dashboard, and quiet music filled the vehicle. The two men sat in silence for the rest of their trip, simply enjoying the local music.
After a short while, the forest began to thin out until there were no more trees. Off in the distance was the entrance to the military base, and the driver cut the music as they approached. One of the guards flagged the staff car down, bringing the vehicle to a stop. Both Amsel and Gustav presented their identification pamphlets, issuing a stiff salute from the guard. Gustav offered a salute back from within the car, and Amsel offered a measured nod. The guard, stepping back, waved the staff car into the base.
Fort Macharius itself was originally an airfield, and as such, the middle of the base was a long and cracked tarmac. Weeds grew out of revealing cracks, and it was evident aircraft were not often used here. Indeed, the only aircraft that were stationed here now were only a few decommissioned birds which sat grounded in one of the hangers. The hangers, once painted a nice solid olive drab, were now faded and chipping. The steel colored sheet metal which created the hangers were partly rusted in some places, but all in all the remaining hangers looked sturdy enough. The ones which remained were now being used to store the regiments vehicles, as the hangers were rather large. Across from the hangers, on the opposite side of the tarmac, where the fort's main entrance was, was a host of older buildings. Two story bunk houses, administration buildings, storage areas, and all of the usual things were arrayed in a orderly manner. The buildings themselves were recently remodeled, but it was obvious they were older than just a few decades.
Despite the older buildings, much of the base itself was rather new, within just a few decades of being built. More modern style housing and buildings made up the vast majority of the buildings, and the head administration building and hospital were remodeled. As the staff car continued into the base, the large amount of vehicles gathered near the hangers was certainly a sight to take in. With all of the various companies in the regiment, many of which carrying armor contingents, it created a very mixed picture. Open doored hangers revealed rows upon rows of mighty Imperial armor, shaded from the elements in hangers that once housed aircraft.
As the car continued along it's way, Amsel and Gustav spotted guardsmen at each corner of the base. All of which wore different uniforms, with a few of their own Higarans mixed in. Both men knew what companies some of the uniforms belonged to, as all of the COs had met briefly a few days ago for introductions, but even then, neither men could place all of them.
"I wonder what we have done to deserve this fate." Gustav remarked, staring out the window of the car as they proceeded along their way. Amsel, who was flexing his left hand, which was covered in a black glove to hide the augmetic underneath, casted a curious glance towards the captain. "What fate would that be?" He asked simply. "These fold regiments. I've read your record, Commissar Amsel. I know you've been in several fold regiments with Higaran contingents. Even I've been on that track recently. I'm beginning to worry we're never going to be fully replenished. The Munitorum keeps us moving around. The only fresh Higaran faces I've seen is the batch of sixty or so we got those few weeks ago while we were still in transit to this place. Is that all they send these days?" He asked, sighing. It was, admittedly, rather unfortunate that neither men hopped to see a full Higaran regiment again. While they met interesting and certainly kind fellow guardsmen along their times in different fold regiments, it was always rather off. Not being apart of a full blooded Higaran regiment was just simply that, off.
Captain-Commissar Amsel pondered this for a moment, running a hand over his short cropped black hair. "My mother always told me Higarans lost their luck the moment they stepped foot off home. I guess that's beginning to show true. But," He said, glancing at the captain, "The Emperor never made things to be easy for us. If he did, well, I'd probably be a little heavy and looking a bit like a Lord Militant." The commissar said, prompting the two men to laugh lightly.
The staff car at that moment came to a slow stop outside a bleached white building, with paint cracking as well, and the two men exited the vehicle. Amsel placed his peaked cap firmly on his head, adding quite a few inches to his height. Gustav held his cap in his hands for a moment, patting at it, before neatly placing over his shaved head. "Throne, it's a bit cold out don't you think?" Amsel said, placing his hands in the pocket of his great coat as he walked alongside Gustav towards the white building, a small administration building given to the Higarans chain of command. Gustav had decided to allow any Higaran guardsmen inside, as the building had some office rooms that were now lounges. Captain Gustav figured it was better if his men kept within the Higaran territory (as a guardsmen had joked, as several bunkhouses and a warehouse were given to the Higaran company on the east side of the base, while other companies were assigned their own buildings, prompting guardsmen from different companies to stay within their own zones or 'territory') than loitering around the base and bumping elbows with any company that was not too friendly. Gustav could only imagine where those chaps from Die Schwarzen Manner were hiding. He half expected to go to sleep in his cot one night, look up, and see some of the fellows sleeping in the rafters of his room. The thought made him figure he should not look up anymore.
"Certainly. They say winter is not even here yet. Can you imagine that?" Gustav replied, stepping up towards the building and opening the door for the commissar. Amsel made a crude remark about the planets atmosphere and the Pan Arcadian women, and both men entered the warm building. Immediately, they were greeted with the sound of faint music from one of the rooms, as Higarans were known to carry voxographswithin their regiments as part of troop recreation.
Gustav removed his cap but Amsel kept his on as the two men carried on into the building. The lighting was rather dim in the main hall, but from the rooms they passed, with the window shutters open, light flooded in. The walls inside, unlike the outside, seemed to have been given a new coat of paint some years ago, and looked at the very least presentable. Some paintings decorated the wall, depicting old battles and soldiers of Pan Arcadia. A faded steel sword hung on one of the walls over a door, and the two men entered the room.
Several Higarans were inside, many with their coats unbuttoned and feet up on small tables. The sight of Captain-Commissar Amsel, the regimental and Higaran company commissar, along with Captain Gustav, company commander, caused the men to quickly shuffle to attention and salute. Gustav and Amsel made quick salutes in the general direction of the room. "Button up those coats. Don't let me catch them open again." Amsel warned, though without any malice. All the men with their blue jackets open quickly began buttoning them, to the slight amusement of Amsel. Gustav continued on, however, into a small adjoining room. Amsel entered, passing a Higaran guardsmen on his way out who saluted and nodded in courtesy, and saw Gustav by a small machine. "Want some recaf? Apparently this batch in already is from some other company. They put some spice in their recaf, really good as I've heard." Gustav said, and Amsel sat down at a small wooden table. "From the Thermidorians?" Amsel asked, but Gustav answered with a shrug. "Not sure. Might be from the Segmentians, actually. I heard their name mentioned with the recaf." Amsel made a sound and leaned back in his chair. "A bunch of staunch asses, the lot of them. I doubt they would know good recaf if it fell from the sky and danced in front of them." Gustav chuckled and brought over two black mugs. He grabbed a seat with the commissar, sipping on the recaf. Amsel took a sip as well, and nodded. "Well, whoever makes it, it's damn well good." He replied, Gustav agreeing with him.
The two men spoke for a short wile, enjoying their beverage, before Amsel parted from the captain and made his way off. As things stood, as regimental commissar, it was his job to check in on the others. He figured he would see what the other companies were up to.
Capital City of Nova Prime
Departmento Munitorum Headquarters
Conference Room
Lord General Melgear, along with three other Imperial Guard generals and several high ranking Imperial Guard officers and Munitorum officials, including several Imperial Navy officers, sat alone in the main conference room. The room was large, with a simple large wooden table resting in the middle, where all the officials and officers were gathered around. To the Lord General's left was a wall which was completely glass, watching over the entirety of the city of Pan Arcadia. The sea was framed in the distance, and it was, save for some of the smog covering the city, a nice enough view.
However, Lord General Melgear was not focused on the view from the window. With a half snarl on his face, he was rather angry. Slamming his fist down on the table, garnering the attention of those gathered, Melgear flew into a fit of rage. "Those frakken worthless Planetary Defense officials are motherless! They call me personally for this meeting, and not a single frakken one shows up! Where are they! I want those sorry grox looking son-of-bitches in here now! I don't care if they are PDF, they will answer to me and face punishment! The audacity of them to waste my time like this without a single one of them showing their face! Where are they!" He roared, his hands creating a colorful invisible picture in the air before him.
Those at the table, startled by the outburst, looked away or gulped nervously. Melgear was known for his rages, but this display was much more heated than any he had had before. An Imperial Navy officer sighed, and stood from his seat. "If they will not show up to their own meeting, then I must return to my ship. I don't have time for thi-" The man was saying, before the door to the room opened. All heads turned to see a single PDF officer enter, quietly, and with a large briefcase. Many people grumbled, and Melgear offered a very colorful line of expletives towards the PDF officer. However, the officer simply quietly approached the table without word.
"What is this!?" He roared on, "You finally arrive and there is only one of you! Where is your commanding officer!? I demand a word with him! What do you have to say for yourself! Nevermind, I don't want to hear it! You're career is over! Over, you hear me?!" He yelled, but the officer kept quiet, simply stopping at the table and placing the briefcase down. After a quiet moment, with only Melgear's panting in the air, did the PDF officer turn to look at the Lord General.
"I have nothing to say to you, or any of you. Simply, consider this Pan Arcadia's succession from the tyranny of the Imperium of Mankind." The officer said simply, before removing a small cylinder from his pocket.
Before anything further could be said, or before anyone could truly react, the officer thumbed the button on the cylinder, and the world within the conference room became very bright.
Outside on the streets below the Deparmento Munitorum Headquarters, the explosion on the top floor blew out almost the entire floor beneath it as well, so severe was the blast. Glass rained down in tiny razor sharp shards onto the streets, and fire and smoke licked at the blue sky. Many blocks away, another explosion went off. To those who could see over the tall mass of buildings and urban sprawl, they would have seen that a large explosion had detonated just outside the Adeptus Arbites Courthouse.
However, unknown to all, a highly trained team of PDF forces stormed the Imperial Governors palace. Today was the day that had trained for and waited for for such a long time. Their way into the palace was like clockwork, and they quickly found the governor and beat him senseless, before dragging his body away to where ever they planned to take him.
Today was the day. Today, the PDF and unhappy traitorous people of Pan Arcadia move to take their planet out of the Imperium, and to the hands of the shadowy forces they have doomed their souls to, who watched from beyond and laughed at the terror which would be unleashed.
Perhaps the most terrifying thing of all, was the fact that nobody, not even the valiant Imperial Guard knew of the attacks yet. Under the disguise of their training day, the PDF began to move to eradicate the Imperial Guard garrisons around the planet.