We arrived to a less than enthusiastic group of Marines. Although they never introduced themselves they were a part of the Red Scorpions 10th Company, or Scouts. Although I did not know it at the time, these men were not full-fledged marines yet. They apparently were in training themselves. Had I known this I would have enjoyed the training a bit more since for all their talk they were not much better than myself (or so I thought). There were 300 hundred of us at the start of training. As the weeks went by we slowly dwindled down to around 100 and were organized into what roughly could be compared to a platoon whose primary mission would be infiltration as forward observers and snipers. "Company Omega" (actually we were smaller than a platoon in strength) would not participate in the initial stages of the war on Keegan 3207. Our training would last over a year. Those of us who did not hack the training were returned to the 20th group for immediate use in the missions that they were running. Unfortunately for them the General, although eager to broaden the Storm Troopers role in his operations, still did not have a deep grasp on how we could best be used. On Kriven he kept us in reserve and we barley saw any action. On Keegan he reversed that role and my comrades often found themselves outnumbered, outgunned, and unsupported. The Storm Trooper casualties approached 50% for the operation. Although this may not be uncommon for a leg unit, it is almost unheard of for Storm Troopers. By the time our small group was ready for graduation the conflict had been going on for eleven months with no real gains to be seen. Apparently these Orks were not to be moved easily. Our class numbered 97 going into the "final exam". We were broken down into squads of three two-man teams and sent to the front. Our squads would be under the command of various line Colonels, or our own regimental Colonel to be used as he saw fit since his companies were now being used on a large scale. I was fortunate. My squad was placed under Colonel Jackson, commander of the 20th Storm Trooper regiment. Our "final exam" would last a month under our respective commanders. Surviving did not necessarily mean graduation. The commander still had to do a written evaluation of what he observed and report back to the Brother Marine Captain.

The first section of my squad's "final" was to be on intelligence gathering and general scouting. We were to scout out a suspected enemy headquarters and prepare a detailed artillery bombardment of the area without engaging the enemy. Unfortunately nobody told the Orks.

Our mission began on schedule and without any hitches. We departed the company area in our two man teams and assembled about 5km out to gather our heading and to ensure the Orks had not noticed our departure from the company. We proceeded to follow a ridgeline in towards our objective, which was a good two days travel even at a normal walking pace. It took us a little over a four days to arrive at our objective, and we immediately got to work. One team was placed at roughly even intervals all around the Ork compound so we could get detailed information for the artillery co-ordinates. We regrouped a day later to compile our data and prepare the satellite uplink to let HQ know that we had what they were looking for. Just as the "transmission complete" message hit the screen our tranquil surroundings were shattered by a group of about twenty Ork commandoes all decked out in their bright red tiger stripe uniforms!

Harry was the closest and he barely got off a shot to drop one when the next one in line took his head of with his axe. His teammate, Jaxon, managed to get behind cover and drop another at close range before he was in hand to hand combat with another. The rest of use hit the destruct sequence on the uplink and took cover. In all it looked like there were at least twenty Ork Commandoes. Jaxon eventually was unable to fend of the green and red horde and succumbed to the overwhelming numbers of the Orks. The rest of us managed to keep the Orks at bay until we could plan a way out. We all threw out a frag grenade to get them to drop their heads for a second. As they went off we bolted into the brush behind us.

We did not stop running through the brush for about 5km. We could hear the Orks not far behind. We decided that a direct approach to our lines might not be the best idea, as we knew of at least three Ork battle groups between our destination and us. Instead we opted to try and reach a river about ten kilometers off to our left. We could use it to cover our movement and still take us within a few kilometers of our company area. But first we would have to deal with these commandoes. Karl and I took cover behind a fallen tree, while Keith and Sven went to the right flank and got down behind some rocks and we waited. We did not have to wait long. The Orks were all into trying to track down their "hummie" quarry. I counted sixteen Orks as they entered our kill zone. They were doing a pretty good imitation of trying to be stealthy and silent. If it was not for their red uniforms I might not have seen them. Karl and I were the first to open up, followed very quickly by Keith and Sven. Before the Orks could even react their numbers were reduced by three. They did not take long to respond however. The Orks were within twenty meters of Keith and Sven, and despite the relative silent operation of the Needle rifles, the Orks were on top of them. Karl and I kept firing into the flank of the Orks. We did some damage but could not stem the tide. The Orks were screening their approach to the other team's position by throwing their stick bombs. We could no longer see Keith and Sven as the Orks were now between us and them. I motioned for Karl and we proceeded to bug out. I had hoped the others had done the same.

Karl and I had managed to reach the river. It was not a pretty sight. The Orks had managed to do there best to industrialize their operations and as a result the water was quite rancid. With very visible disgust Karl and I slipped into the chest deep water, all the while hoping the docs would be able to detox us when we got home. We stayed under a low footbridge until the sun set below the distant horizon before using the current to drift towards home. We made good time through the night and would be able to head away from the river some time the next night. Till then we chose to get out of the rancid water and take cover in a nearby stream that was dumping into the river. We managed to wash off most of the slime from the little brook. Enough, at least, to catch some sleep. Karl went first as I kept watch. The rations were abandoned with the radio back at the objective and I was getting VERY hungry. Nothing to do but wait. Finally it was my turn to catch a few minutes of unconsciousness. It seemed like I had just fallen asleep when Karl was shaking me, "we've got company". He looked a little concerned so I peeked over the bank of the little stream to see eight of the commandoes crawling towards the stream. Their approach would take them between us and the river. I ducked back down and began to think. We needed the river to take us further down river without drawing a lot of attention to ourselves. How do we deter these Orks and still make it home?

I had it. I would crawl further upstream and take a position to draw their attention. Karl could make it to the river and wade downstream until I arrived. After getting their attention I would make my way inland and then double back to the river.

Karl did not object and made ready to head out. I crawled about 100 meters up the stream and found a nice batch of tall grass (at least I think it was grass). I could only see six of the Orks as I drew a bead on the lead Ork. I proceeded to let loose and the Ork stopped crawling. His companions; however, jumped up and began running right for the stream! I could no longer remain hidden if Karl was to make it to the river. I stood up and dropped another Ork. His bright red uniform now covered in green blood. Unfortunately the Orks had reached the stream before I could inflict anymore damage. Karl had apparently seen their approach and had given up on making it to the river. He dropped another Ork and was being surrounded by the others. I shot one more of them before they pounced on him. Karl put up a great fight, taking out two more in hand to hand combat! Unfortunately neither Karl nor I saw the Ork Captain and his mate before they jumped Karl from behind. As much as I hated to, I had to take off leaving Karl's body behind.

I was now alone and still a good days travel back to home. I followed the stream inland for about 4km before stopping to catch a quick glance at my positioning device the Marines were kind enough to give me. The map showed me to be a good 20km northwest of camp. I took cover under some bushes and waited for night. With a good effort I should make it home in under four hours. Maybe three if I do away with noise discipline. Better stick to four just to be careful.

The terrain was very favorable for moving with no more than a few hundred meters of open ground that I could be spotted. I was making good time and was within sight of where the forward observation post should be when I made out three huge humanoid creatures dressed in garish red tiger stripes and spouting bolt pistols. I had no where to run. I had let myself move into the middle of a field thinking I was safe. I stopped in my tracks and brought the Rifle to the ready. The Captain managed to speak intelligibly so that I could understand him.

"Hummie has led us on good hunt. We have hunted hummie for two day. Hummie responsible for death of Grotzkill our Warboss. Now it is time to die hummie!"

With that they began rushing me with their axes in the air and bolt pistols tearing up the ground around me. I brought up the Needle rifle hoping to take out at least one of them before they were upon me. I drew a bead on the Captain knowing him to be the biggest threat. Click! Nothing! It would not fire! I repeated the action to no avail. As I cast aside the rifle I drew my knife not willing to go down without a fight. Just then I heard the report of what sounded like needle rifles off to my right and all three of the Orks fell, the last at my very feet.

I picked up the discarded Needle rifle expecting a squad of my scouting comrades to come out of the bushes to my right. I was fully ready to give them my most sincere thanks, but when the images were no longer concealed by their cameleoline cloaks, I did not see my fellow Storm Troopers but a squad of eight Eldar scouts. I was not sure what to do. Fatigue was clouding my mind. One of the Eldar approached and held out his hand.

" I am Salan Syr of the Craft World Ulthway. We have watched your flight from the Ork stronghold and hated the thought of you not living to see the light of another day. Such determination should not go unrewarded."

And with that they all put the hoods back up on their cloaks and disappeared back into the night. It would be another two years before I saw Salan Syr and his comrades again. I owe them my life for that night.

I never saw Keith and Sven alive again. Apparently once we got separated they headed straight for camp. Unfortunately the Orks had taken care of them just prior to my arrival. Not 50 meters from where I met the Eldar scouts.

I graduated the scout training provided by the Marines and joined up with Company Omega. Jaxon had survived the attacks by the Orks who had left him for dead. The Red Scorpions had been sent in to clean up the Ork camp after the Imperial Guard had bombed the compound into a smouldering heap. A Marine medic found him and brought him in. Jaxon and I spent the next fifteen years together as a sniper team for Company Omega, 20th Storm Trooper Group, 7th army, until a Chaos marine took one of his arms last year. The army decided he was too old to invest a bionic arm in so they let him retire. Lucky bastard. We have plans to meet up, just as soon as I retire next year.