The CP Already Hard at work. The colonel Stands talking to the Major his second in command, "Sir we have to hold this intersection or else The traitors may be able to exploit a break through..." The major says calmly. As the major and the colonel talk Commissar Malik heads out to see to the men. Since the Battle started The 254th have seen heavy action having been under enemy bombardment and localized heavy attacks. As he walks from the CP he sees twos quads of off duty Guardsmen sleeping and eating rations around a chemical stove in the burned out remains of Hab units. As the Commissar heads over the Guardsmen awake take notice and stand attention "At ease troopers." The troopers relax and a few go back to eating or sleeping Malik says "who is in command here?" he asks as he eyes the men. Most while their uniforms are grimy and some blood stained look for their situation parade ready. "I am Sir." a Young Female Lieutenant in the back salutes "Lieutenant Elis 254th Mechanized!" she says proudly "At ease Lieutenant, I must inquire as to the combat readiness of your Platoon, how many of you are left?" He asks as the Lieutenant stands at ease "Sir my platoon took a beating of the 60 men we have 15 dead 17 wounded after the bombardment we took.." Malik thinks back to the bombardment The 254th was behind the lines considered safe from the front, they were to be deployed to reinforce the lines when a heavy bombardment of enemy Basilisks opened up on them as they were moving to move up to the line. while short it caused heavy casualties among the 254th "I see and the state of your men?" he asks as he looks at them. the ones awake looked tired and defeated. [i]what platoon wouldn't when they get it in the neck like that...[/i] Malik thinks to himself "Lieutenant be honest what do the men think of the way the fighting is going ?" he asks quietly "Sir are all willing ti fight and die in service to the emperor we hold our faith till death." chuckling Malik looks at her "that is not what I ask, I understand your loyalty and as the Voice of our beloved emperor on this hell , If i felt any of you were disloyal I would have shot you...Now I ask again what do they think of this war?"

The lieutenant shifts uncomfortably [i]who wouldn't be nervous if a Commissar asked such a question[/i] Malik thinks "well sir..The man don't have much hope in all honesty...Till the Astartes arrived we believed we would die on this rock having done nothing but slowed down the traitors...The PDF at least the ones that didn't turn...are all but dead, we were fighting a retreat, thousands of good guardsmen dying to buy only minutes for the rest of us....even now its hard to see victory...We face not only cultists but Traitor guardsmen,Chaos marines and Demons. we will all fight and Die for the emperor here on this planet, but know we hold little hope for victory..." the Lieutenant says disheartened "Lieutenant As A Commissar I am in my every right to have you and your platoon shot for cowardice....To lose faith in victory is to lose faith in the emperor." he says quickly "But I understand your feelings...a guardsmen's life is tough and for the countless billions that roam the galaxy many never see the ends of their service with smiles, I could sit here and say your prayers and training will see you through the countless battles you and I will see." he says as he heads over to the stove "But life is not like that, not for the citizens of the imperium and especially for the guard....but I can promise you that the fighting and bloodshed here saves countless millions billions even from whatever these Traitorous warp spawn are planning...I understand that this wont give you comfort as you lie in your foxholes counting the seconds till the shells stop and the attack begins but.." he says as an air siren wails. One of the guardsmen squads Vox-caster "Prepare for incoming fi.." The voice is cut off as shells start to land all around blasting up rubble and from time to time Guardsmen. "Send a message have all units take cover and prepare for an attack, your platoon is with me!" Malik Orders as he waits out the shelling.