Private Jantz

     Private Jantz suppressed a shriek and threw himself to the ground as the air around him was suddenly filled with flying bolter shells. Around him his squad mates followed his example, throwing themselves prone - at least, those who were quick enough did. Those who were too slow, died.
     As suddenly as it had begun, the barrage of fire ceased. Sergeant Hollows raised his head slightly, glanced around, then rose to his feet. "Come on, you apes," he bellowed at the remnants of his squad. "Command wants us moving forward, so we're moving forward." He began kicking the prone figures until they clambered to their feet and began trotting forwards.
     This was not what he had joined the Guard to do, Jantz thought bitterly. He had joined for the neat uniform, the legions of adoring women, and the fear that toting a lasgun - and the authority to use it - would put into the hearts of all the people in his life who had trodden him down - and the Emperor knew, there were plenty of those. He had not joined to fight, to be jogging through a battlefield littered with corpses, to be killed by an unseen and unknown enemy.
     A nearby explosion tore a sob from Jantz's throat. Glancing around, he thought he saw a shadowy figure moving through a nearby copse of trees. Staggering back, he collided with one of his squadmates. The guardsmen swore at him, but Jantz didn't hear - his attention was on a collapsed building several score yards away, where he could see more of the wraiths. He pointed, mouth flapping nervously as he tried and failed to articulate what he saw.
     "Jantz!" yelled Hollows, but Jantz could not hear him. Couldn't the others see? The enemy were everywhere! He was surrounded! He had to get away!
     Something roared overhead. It was too much. Jantz shrieked and fled, running for the nearest cover, ignoring the shouts of his sergeant. Tripping over roots, thrashing at the clinging leaves and vines that tried to hold him back, Jantz pelted through the forest, neither knowing nor caring where he was going. The only thing that mattered was getting away.
     Blinded by panic and tears, he did not see the gully before him. He slipped and fell, tumbling over and over, until he smacked his head against a rock and the world became peaceful, at least for a time.
     Some time later, Jantz awoke to silence. The roar of battle was gone, and in its place was... nothing. Slowly, nursing his aching head, he retrieved his lasgun and climbed his way out of the gully.
     As he wandered back towards the battlefield, he saw them. His entire platoon - at least, those who had survived - gathered in a circle, staring at something hidden from his sight by the press of bodies.
     "Hi guys," Jantz said nervously. The figures didn't respond. He approached slowly; they didn't appear to realise he was there. "We won then, did we?" he asked, chuckling briefly in a manner that had nothing to do with humour.
     He was right alongside the platoon now, and they still hadn't moved. Pushing through, he saw what they were all staring at. A black armoured marine stood in the centre of the circle. Skulls and swirling patterns adorned the ancient armour. He said nothing, did nothing, merely stood there, with the rapt faces of the guardsmen locked upon his ornate helmet. A nimbus of lightning flickered around his head, and Jantz knew he was in the presence of a psyker.
     Jantz was suddenly aware of a presence behind him. He whirled, and found himself face to face with another of the black-armoured giants. Swiftly he brought his lasgun up, but not swift enough - the marine reached out and grasped the barrel in his hand, tearing it from the guardsman's grip. Whimpering in terror, Jantz backed away, until he struck an obstacle and could move no further. Dreading what he might see, Jantz slowly revolved and found himself looking up into the helmet of the sorcerer. The baleful red gaze swept over him. Jantz felt warm moisture spreading from his crotch.
     With a click and hiss of hydraulics, the faceplate of the helmet swung upwards, revealing a face that was all too human. "No, private," said the marine, as Jantz's tortured heart finally gave way. "You lost."
End.

Private Jantz

Go back to da Oomie Library