The former Bone’ead known as Waldo had been given the chance to change and put his kit on before being introduced to his new squad. It was an unorthodox appointment for both he and them both. Ogryns in mixed units were very unusual, as they usually took too much looking after and there was a risk of accidents due to clumsiness.

Still, it was better then his cell back on redemption and far better then the chair they’d used to transfer him to the fleet. Waldo had taken to his squad fairly well, even though Arbiter Kenelm has had to remind him several times about the explosive collar around his neck. He liked Mason, who he thought was loud and friendly and otherwise did as he was told by Tigranes or followed Octavia’s gestures.

They would find him a fairly pleasant companion if they could get passed his questionable personal hygiene - only showering when he was specifically ordered, and even then usually just a rinse - and distaste for small spaces. Waldo laughed at any joke anyone made with deep happy chuckles, even though he usually didn’t get it and even nodded along with the mad ramblings of Hall, who shared Waldo’s love of the Emperor but took it rather more seriously then anyone else he’d met.

On the planet of Ioanus Secundus Waldo had started cheerful and happy to be out of the shop and to see the sky. The feeling had waned however as the Catachan had set them to digging trenches. At one point they had finished their emplacements just in time for the lines to change. They’d had to hoof it to a new location and start digging all over again.

As Mason hollered at them to get back to digging, Waldo reached for his huge trench shovel. He stood with a burp and picked up where he’d left off. Mason made sure he kept going in the right direction, moving as much dirt as a whole squad. The rest of 8th Squad merely had to tidy up the trench behind them, which was easy enough so long as Waldo didn’t accidentally toss the dirt back in behind him.