NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Forged in Steel
The rumbling of the transport's engines ceased, replaced by an eerie stillness that made Lilith's heart race. She clutched the small bag containing her meager possessions; the precious gifts from the Sisters who had raised her as she took a deep breath. The metallic taste of recycled air filled her lungs, a stark reminder of the industrial world she called home.
"Recruit! On your feet!" barked a voice from outside.
Lilith scrambled to her feet, her small frame dwarfed by the cavernous interior of the transport. As the rear hatch hissed open, she squinted against the harsh light that flooded in. The silhouette of a tall, broad-shouldered figure blocked part of the glare.
"Welcome to Fort Hellhound, recruit," the figure said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "I'm Sergeant Thorne. You'll be under my supervision during your initial training period."
Lilith stepped out of the transport, her eyes gradually adjusting to the light. The sight that greeted her was both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Fort Hellhound sprawled before her, a massive complex of ferrocrete buildings, training grounds, and vehicle bays. The distinct smell of promethium and gun oil permeated the air, mingling with the ever-present industrial odors of Armageddon.
Sergeant Thorne was a weathered man, his face bearing the scars of countless battles. His steel-gray eyes scanned Lilith with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "You're younger than our usual recruit candidates, most children that we pick from the orphanage are trained until they are at the right of age or until the Emperor demands service" he remarked. "But age matters little in the face of the Emperor's enemies. Follow me."
As they walked, Lilith took in her surroundings with wide eyes. Squads of soldiers in the distinctive uniforms of the Armageddon Steel Legion marched in perfect unison across the parade grounds. The distant sound of gunfire echoed from the firing ranges, punctuated by the occasional roar of a vehicle engine.
"The Steel Legion is the backbone of Armageddon's defense," Sergeant Thorne explained as they walked. "We're part of the Astra Militarum, the Imperial Guard, humanity's first line of defense against the threats that plague the galaxy."
They passed a line of Chimera armored personnel carriers, their hulls scarred from battle but meticulously maintained. "Mechanized warfare is our specialty," Thorne continued. "In the toxic wastelands of Armageddon, our vehicles are as much a lifeline as they are weapons of war."
Lilith nodded, absorbing the information. She recalled fragments of knowledge from her past life, but the reality of the Steel Legion was far more imposing than any lore she had known.
They entered a large building, its corridors bustling with activity. Soldiers and support staff moved with purpose, the organized chaos of a military operation in full swing. Sergeant Thorne led Lilith to a small office, gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Before we proceed, I need to review your file," he said, pulling out a data-slate. "Hmm... interesting. It seems Sister Mercy from your orphanage provided some additional information."
Lilith tensed, wondering what Sister Mercy might have shared.
Thorne's eyebrows rose as he read. "Exceptional aptitude for medical studies... advanced knowledge beyond her years... demonstrated bravery during an Ork incursion." He looked up at Lilith, his gaze sharp. "It says here you managed to fire a Godwyn-De'az pattern bolter during the attack. Is that true?"
Lilith nodded, her voice small but steady. "Yes, Sergeant. Sister Victorine was injured, and I... I just reacted."
Thorne grunted, impressed despite himself. "Not many can handle the recoil of a bolter, let alone a child. You're full of surprises, recruit."
He continued reading, his expression growing more intrigued. "There's a note here about unusual healing abilities. Care to elaborate?"
Lilith shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not sure, Sergeant. I heal quickly, but I don't know why."
Thorne nodded, his face unreadable. "The Emperor works in mysterious ways. Your abilities, whatever their source, could be a great asset to the Legion." He set down the data-slate. "Based on this information and your background, I think we have a place for you in our medical corps. You'll train as a combat medic, but make no mistake you're a soldier first, medic second. Understood?"
"Yes, Sergeant," Lilith replied, a mix of relief and excitement washing over her. This was the path she had hoped for.
"Good. Now, let's go over your daily routine." Thorne pulled out another data-slate, displaying a timetable. "0500 hours: Wake up. 0515: Morning prayers to the Emperor. 0530: Physical training. 0700: Breakfast. 0800: Combat drills. 1200: Midday meal. 1300: Specialized medical training. 1700: Evening prayers. 1800: Evening meal. 1900: Study period. 2100: Lights out. This schedule is non-negotiable. The Emperor demands discipline from His soldiers."
Lilith nodded, committing the schedule to memory. It wasn't too different from the orphanage, though she suspected the training would be far more rigorous.
"You'll be assigned to Barracks Block 17," Thorne continued. "Your bunk and uniforms will be there. Now, given your unique background, I'm going to have you start in the medical ward immediately. Consider it a test of your abilities. Corporal Durand will escort you there."
As if on cue, a young woman in Steel Legion uniform appeared at the door. "Recruit, follow me," she said crisply.
Lilith gathered her bag and followed Corporal Durand through the winding corridors of the base. The medical ward was a hive of activity, with wounded soldiers being brought in from the frontlines and medical staff rushing to attend to them.
"Chief Medicae Helix!" Corporal Durand called out. "New recruit for you, sir. Orders from Sergeant Thorne to put her to work immediately."
A grizzled man with cybernetic augmentations for his eyes looked up from a patient he was treating. "In the Emperor's name, they get younger every year," he muttered. "Girl, you know anything about treating plasma burns?"
Lilith stepped forward, her nervousness overcome by the familiar sight of the wounded. This, at least, was something she knew. "Yes, sir. First, remove any fused armor or clothing, then apply a cryogenic spray to stop the spread of the burn. Follow with a synthskin graft and administer broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent infection."
Chief Medicae Helix's augmetic eyes whirred as they focused on Lilith. "Throne of Terra, she's right. Alright, recruit, you're with me. Let's see if your hands are as knowledgeable as your mouth."
For the next several hours, Lilith worked tirelessly alongside the medical staff. Her small size allowed her to maneuver in tight spaces, and her quick mind and steady hands proved invaluable. She treated las-burns, shrapnel wounds, and even assisted in a complex surgery to remove a piece of Ork shrapnel from a soldier's chest.
As the flow of patients finally began to ebb, Chief Medicae Helix pulled Lilith aside. "In the Emperor's name, girl, where did you learn all this?"
Lilith, exhausted but exhilarated, managed a small smile. "The Sisters at the orphanage taught me, sir. And I... I just seem to understand it."
Helix shook his head in amazement. "Well, the Emperor has blessed us with your presence, that's for certain. I'll be speaking with Sergeant Thorne about fast-tracking your medical training. But remember, as gifted as you are in the medicae arts, you're still a soldier of the Imperium. The enemies of mankind won't care how well you can stitch a wound if you can't defend yourself and your patients."
Lilith nodded solemnly. "I understand, sir. I'll work hard in all aspects of my training."
"See that you do," Helix replied. "Now, get yourself to the mess hall. You've earned your rations today."
As Lilith made her way to the mess hall, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The reality of her new life was setting in; the constant threat of war, the weight of responsibility, the brutal efficiency of Imperial military life. Yet, beneath it all, there was a sense of purpose, a feeling that she was exactly where she needed to be.
In the crowded mess hall, surrounded by battle-hardened soldiers and fellow recruits, Lilith felt both out of place and strangely at home. As she ate her simple meal of nutrient-rich gruel, she overheard snippets of conversation around her.
"...heard the Orks are massing again in the Ashenlands..."
"...new batch of Chimeras coming in from the forges next week..."
"...Commissar executed three deserters yesterday. Emperor's justice is swift..."
The casual way they spoke of such grim topics sent a chill down Lilith's spine. This was the reality of life in the Astra Militarum, in the Steel Legion. This was what it meant to stand against the enemies of mankind. As she finished her meal, a shadow fell across her table. She looked up to see Sergeant Thorne standing there, his face stern.
"Recruit," he said, his voice low. "A word."
Lilith followed him to a quiet corner of the mess hall, her heart pounding. Had she done something wrong?
Thorne's expression softened slightly as he spoke. "I've received a report from Chief Medicae Helix. He speaks very highly of your performance today."
Relief washed over Lilith. "Thank you, Sergeant. I did my best."
"Your best is impressive, recruit. But it also raises questions." Thorne's eyes narrowed. "The level of knowledge and skill you displayed is... unusual for someone of your age and background. Some might find it suspicious."
Lilith felt a cold knot of fear form in her stomach. "I... I just studied hard, Sergeant. The Sisters encouraged my interest in medicine."
Thorne held up a hand. "I'm not accusing you of anything, recruit. But you need to understand the position you're in. Exceptional individuals in the Imperium often attract... attention. Not all of it welcome."
He leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "There are factions within the Imperium that might take an interest in someone like you. The Inquisition, for one. Or perhaps even the Adeptus Mechanicus, given your affinity for medical technology."
Lilith's mind raced. The Inquisition, she knew of them from her past life's memories, the fearsome guardians against heresy and corruption. And the Adeptus Mechanicus, the tech-priests who held the secrets of the Imperium's technology. Either group taking an interest in her could mean the end of her journey.
"What... what should I do, Sergeant?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Thorne straightened up, his face once again an impassive mask. "You do your duty, recruit. You serve the Emperor and the Imperium to the best of your abilities. But you also learn to blend in. Don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Excel in your training, but don't stand out too much. Understood?"
Lilith nodded, her throat tight. "Yes, Sergeant. I understand."
"Good," Thorne said. "Now, get some rest. Your real training begins tomorrow, and the Emperor knows you'll need all your strength."
As Lilith made her way to her assigned barracks, her mind was a tumult of conflicting emotions. Pride in her performance, fear of the attention it might bring, determination to succeed in her new role, and an undercurrent of longing for the relative safety of the orphanage.
Barracks Block 17 was a long, low building of ferrocrete and steel. Inside, rows of bunks lined the walls, each with a small footlocker for personal belongings. Most of the bunks were occupied by sleeping figures, the day's training having taken its toll.
A severe-looking woman with close-cropped hair approached Lilith. "You the new recruit?" she asked brusquely. At Lilith's nod, she pointed to an empty bunk. "That's yours. Uniforms in the footlocker. Lights out in ten minutes. And don't even think about being late for morning muster."
Lilith quickly stowed her few possessions in the footlocker, carefully placing Sister Mercy's gifts; the silver chain with the flower petal and the prayer book in a secure corner. She changed into the provided sleep fatigues, the coarse fabric a far cry from the simple but comfortable clothes of the orphanage.
As she lay in her bunk, staring at the ceiling, the reality of her situation truly began to sink in. She was no longer Lilith, the orphan with a mysterious past. She was now a recruit of the Astra Militarum, a future soldier of the Emperor. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on her, as heavy as the hive city above.
Yet, as sleep began to claim her, Lilith felt a spark of something else. Hope, perhaps. Or determination. She had chosen this path, had embraced this new life. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever dangers she might face, she would meet them head-on. For the Emperor, for the Imperium, and for herself.
The last thing Lilith saw before sleep took her was the faint glint of the silver Aquila that Sister Victorine had given her, hanging on the side of her bunk. A reminder of faith, of protection, and of the long road that lay ahead.
In the darkness of Barracks Block 17, as the sounds of sleeping soldiers filled the air, Lilith dreamed of a grim future but she soon fall asleep as determination to overcome the predicament fills her mind.
Dawn came all too soon, heralded by the harsh blare of a klaxon that jolted Lilith from her sleep. Around her, the barracks erupted into a flurry of activity as recruits and soldiers alike scrambled to ready themselves for the day ahead.
"On your feet, scum!" roared a voice that seemed to shake the very walls. A massive, scarred man strode down the center of the barracks, his eyes blazing with barely contained fury. "The Emperor's enemies don't sleep, and neither do you! Move, move, move!"
Lilith leaped from her bunk, her heart pounding. This, she realized, must be the infamous Drill Abbot she'd heard whispered about in the mess hall the night before. As she rushed to don her uniform, she caught snippets of his continued tirade.
"You think the Orks will wait for you to prettify yourselves? You think the horrors of the void will pause while you lace your boots? In the name of the Golden Throne, you are the shields of humanity! Act like it!"
Within minutes, the entire barracks was assembled outside in neat rows, breath misting in the pre-dawn chill. Lilith found herself sandwiched between two much larger recruits, doing her best to stand at attention despite her small stature.
The Drill Abbot paced before them, his augmetic eye whirring as it scanned the assembled recruits. "I am Drill Abbot Kaine," he bellowed, "and from this moment on, I own you. Your lives belong to the Emperor, but your suffering belongs to me. I will forge you into weapons worthy of the Astra Militarum, or you will die trying. Do you understand?"
"Sir, yes sir!" The response thundered from hundreds of throats. Lilith's voice, high and clear, joined the chorus.
"Then prove it! Twenty laps around the parade ground, full kit! Move!"
As Lilith ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps, she silently thanked Sister Mercy for insisting on physical training back at the orphanage. While she struggled to keep up with the longer-legged recruits, she was not the last in the group. The weight of her lasgun, bouncing against her back with each step, served as a constant reminder of her new purpose.
After the grueling run came calisthenics, then weapons drills, then hand-to-hand combat training. By the time they were released for morning prayers, Lilith's entire body ached, and she was certain she had bruises forming from the combat drills.
The prayer hall was a vast, echoing chamber dominated by a towering statue of the Emperor. Lilith felt a momentary pang of homesickness as she remembered the smaller, more intimate chapel of the orphanage. But as the familiar words of the Imperial Creed washed over her, she found a measure of comfort in the ritual.
"The Emperor protects," intoned the Chaplain, his augmetic voice amplified to reach every corner of the hall.
"The Emperor protects," Lilith murmured along with hundreds of other voices, her hand clasping the silver Aquila that hung around her neck.
After a hasty breakfast of nutrient paste and recaf, Lilith reported to the medical ward for her specialized training. Chief Medicae Helix was waiting for her, his augmetic eyes whirring as they focused on her.
"Ah, recruit," he said, his gruff voice tinged with what might have been approval. "Ready to put those skills of yours to the test again?"
"Yes, sir," Lilith replied, standing at attention despite her aching muscles.
Helix nodded. "Good. Today, we're focusing on triage and emergency field procedures. In combat, you'll often be faced with multiple casualties and limited resources. You need to learn to make quick decisions that will save the most lives for the Emperor's service."
For the next several hours, Lilith was put through a series of increasingly complex simulations. She treated simulated las-wounds, applied tourniquets to severed limbs, and even performed emergency surgery on a training dummy. Throughout it all, Helix watched with his impassive cybernetic gaze, occasionally barking out instructions or criticisms.
"Faster, recruit! The Orks won't wait for you to double-check your sutures!"
"Good use of the auto-cauterizer. Remember, in the field, you might have to make do with a heated bayonet."
"Emperor's teeth, girl! If this were real, you'd have just killed your patient. Again!"
Despite the harsh criticism, Lilith found herself thriving under the pressure. The medical knowledge she had accumulated seemed to flow through her, guiding her hands with a surety that surprised even her. By the end of the session, even the stern Chief Medicae seemed impressed.
"Not bad, recruit," Helix grunted as Lilith cleaned and sterilized her instruments. "You've got a natural talent, I'll give you that. But talent alone won't save lives on the battlefield. Keep practicing."
As Lilith made her way to the mess hall for the midday meal, her mind was buzzing with everything she had learned. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, but she felt a sense of purpose that she had never experienced before. But, she reminds herself that this also for her survival as well.
In the mess hall, she found herself surrounded by other recruits, all talking excitedly about their morning training. Lilith sat quietly, listening to their conversations and trying to absorb as much as she could about life in the Steel Legion.
"...heard we might be deployed to the Ashenlands soon. The Orks are getting bolder."
"Throne, I hope not. My cousin was stationed there last year. Said the air could melt your lungs if your rebreather failed."
"Better the Ashenlands than hive duty. At least out there, you can see the enemy coming."
Lilith's attention was drawn to a group of older soldiers sitting nearby, their uniforms bearing the insignia of veteran status. They were speaking in low voices, but Lilith's keen ears picked up snippets of their conversation.
"...new batch of recruits looks green as grass."
"Were we ever that young?"
"Hah! You still are, Jaxon. Some of these kids, though... Did you hear about the new medicae recruit? Heard she's some kind of prodigy."
Lilith tensed, realizing they were talking about her. She kept her head down, pretending to focus on her meal while straining to hear more.
"Prodigy, my arse. Probably some noble's bastard, sent here to 'build character' before daddy buys them a commission."
"I don't know, Thorne seemed impressed. And you know how hard that old bastard is to impress."
"Well, we'll see how impressed he is when the shit hits the fan. Real combat sorts the Emperor's finest from the chaff right quick."
Lilith's cheeks burned with a mixture of embarrassment and determination. She would prove herself, she vowed silently. She would show them all that she belonged here, that she could make a difference.
The afternoon brought more physical training, this time focusing on urban combat tactics. Lilith found herself crawling through mock ruins, learning to move silently and communicate with hand signals. Despite her small size or perhaps because of it she excelled at navigating tight spaces and staying hidden.
As the day wore on, fatigue began to set in. Lilith's muscles screamed in protest with every movement, and her mind felt foggy from the constant barrage of new information. But she pushed on, driven by a combination of fear, determination, and a growing sense of duty.
Evening prayers were a blur, Lilith's tired mind struggling to focus on the words. But as she knelt before the statue of the Emperor, she felt a strange sense of peace settle over her. At first, it seemed it absurd for her to worship someone like the Emperor but over the time that she spent with Sister Mercy at the orphanage, her faith slowly builds up that she uses as a comfort.
Back in the barracks, Lilith collapsed onto her bunk, every fiber of her being crying out for rest. But even as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her, she forced herself to stay awake a little longer. Retrieving Sister Mercy's prayer book from her footlocker, she began to read, drawing comfort from the familiar words.
As she read, her mind drifted back to the orphanage, to Sister Mercy's kind face and Sister Victorine's stern but caring demeanor. She thought of Darin and Mira, wondering where they were now, what paths their lives had taken. A pang of homesickness hit her, sharp and unexpected.
But then her eyes fell on a passage in the prayer book, words she had read a hundred times before but which now took on new meaning:
"In the Emperor's light, we are never truly alone. In His service, we find purpose. In His battles, we find glory."
Lilith closed the book, her resolve strengthened. This was her path, whatever trials lay ahead, she would face them with courage and faith.
As she drifted off to sleep, lulled by the sounds of her fellow recruits' steady breathing, Lilith's last conscious thought was a prayer to the Emperor. Not for safety or for an easy path, but for the strength to endure, to learn, and to survive in this unforgiving world.
The days that followed fell into a grueling but predictable routine. Each morning began with Drill Abbot Kaine's thunderous wake-up call, followed by physical training that pushed Lilith to her limits and beyond. Weapons drills, combat simulations, and endless marches through the sprawling training grounds of Fort Hellhound filled her days.
But it was in the medical ward that Lilith truly shone. Under Chief Medicae Helix's stern tutelage, she honed her skills, learning to treat everything from las-burns to toxic gas exposure. Her small hands proved deft at stitching wounds and setting bones, and her quick mind absorbed complex medical procedures with an ease that continued to impress her instructors.
One afternoon, about two weeks into her training, Lilith found herself assisting in a real emergency. A training accident had left a soldier with severe plasma burns, his flesh seared and bubbling. As the medical team rushed to stabilize him, Helix barked an order at Lilith.
"Recruit! Prepare the synthskin grafts. Move!"
Without hesitation, Lilith sprang into action. Her hands moved with practiced efficiency as she prepared the delicate grafts, her mind racing through the procedure she had studied but never before performed on a real patient.
As she worked alongside the more experienced medics, Lilith felt a strange calm descend over her. The chaos of the medical ward faded away, leaving only the patient and the task at hand. Time seemed to slow as she carefully applied the synthskin, her small fingers able to reach areas that the others found difficult to access.
Hours later, as the patient was wheeled away to recover, Helix approached Lilith. His augmetic eyes whirred as they focused on her, and for a moment, she feared she had done something wrong.
"Recruit," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind, "you did well today. The Emperor blessed us with your steady hands."
Lilith felt a warmth bloom in her chest at the praise. "Thank you, sir. I just did what you taught me."
Helix's mechanical laugh was a harsh, grating sound. "What I taught you? Girl, there are medicae with years of experience who couldn't have handled that situation as well as you did. You've got a gift, plain and simple. See that you don't waste it."
As Lilith left the medical ward that evening, her mind was awhirl with thoughts. The soldier's face, contorted in pain, haunted her. But alongside that image was the memory of his features relaxing as the synthskin took hold, the knowledge that she had played a part in saving his life.
That night, as she lay in her bunk, Lilith's hand found the silver Aquila that Sister Victorine had given her. She whispered a quiet prayer of thanks to the Emperor, not just for seeing her through another day, but for guiding her to this place, this purpose.