In short, the morale of the Valhalla 296th was at its lowest point, and the reason for this could be seen from their designation.
Combining crippled Legions was standard Imperial Guard practice, which helped consolidate formations and maintain morale for future battlefield deployment after battles.
However, combining the remnants of the 301st Legion didn't seem like a good idea. The 301st was a crippled planetary assault Legion with a 1,500-year-old creed:
"We are stronger than any other Imperial unit, especially any other Valhallan Unit!"
And now they were to merge with a rear-guard garrison unit like the 296th.
Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that the 296th was one of the few all-female Legions in the Imperium, which made the situation snowball.
The final straw was that Kastin was assigned to command this unit, for the simple reason that she had three more days of military experience than her new subordinate, the battle-hardened former Commander of the 301st Legion.
Nevertheless, after the Battle of Phalanx, neither unit lacked combat experience.
The Tyranids began their attack without warning, and every Imperial Guard unit on the planet was sent to desperately hold back the Tyranid assault until an Imperial Navy fleet and two Astartes Chapters arrived nearly a year later to turn the tide.
After this, every unit that remained intact suffered over fifty percent casualties, and many units suffered far more.
Thus, the insectoid bureaucrats of the Imperial Munitorum began merging the battered units to make them combat-ready again, at least "combat-ready" on paper.
Anyone with actual military experience would not be foolish enough to ignore the impact of their decisions on morale.
But bureaucracy was a hallmark of the Imperium (a bitter pill to swallow).
Perhaps finding a few insectoid officials from administrative departments, handing them lasguns, and throwing them into the trenches with Soldiers for a month or two might slightly change their minds, but it would be a miracle if the Soldiers didn't stab them in the ribs on the first day.
Commissar Cain returned Kastin's salute, noticing the faded impression of a Captain's rank beneath her Colonel's insignia on her shoulder.
Kastin certainly hadn't expected this promotion, as few officers from either Legion had survived and been so fortunate.
At least Cain had heard that one merged Legion was commanded by a former Corporal.
Unfortunately, neither of the Legions' Political Commissars had survived, and Cain's extremely coincidental transfer request, coupled with Li Feng's specific request for him, led to him being assigned to sort out this mess.
"Major Brocklaw, my second-in-command."
Kastin introduced the man beside her; his insignia was equally new.
His face had a slight flush, and his cold gray eyes were hidden beneath his gray bangs.
Then the Major named Brocklaw stepped forward and firmly gripped Cain's hand, applying a little too much pressure, trying to gauge Cain's strength.
Cain naturally gave a mischievous smile, because he had a slight advantage... as a Political Commissar, his arms were augmented, so Cain also applied force, then watched with an eager smile as Brocklaw's face gradually paled.
"Oh, Major."
Cain released his hand, lest he crush the other's hand for the sake of pride, then he turned to the next officer.
Kastin had assembled almost her entire command staff, as regulations required, though it was clear most people didn't know what kind of person Cain really was.
Only a few looked directly at Cain; it was clear that the "legendary stories" of "Hero Political Commissar" Cain had preceded him, so a few individuals harbored eager hope that Cain could resolve all the issues they couldn't handle.
Cain didn't know what the others were thinking at this moment; they probably breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this easy-going Political Commissar probably wouldn't execute them all and promote a few capable ones.
After the introductions were complete, Cain turned back to Kastin, pointing to the stumbling pile of luggage behind him.
She widened her eyes slightly when she saw Yugen's face behind the luggage.
Cain believed that anyone who had faced Tyranids empty-handed wouldn't find this a big deal, and she quickly returned to her businesslike demeanor.
At the same time, Cain noticed that most of the other officers suppressed their laughter and then held their breath because of Yugen's body odor.
"My adjutant, Master Sergeant Yugen. I hope you can assign him quarters, preferably close to my room."
Indeed, after the Battle of Phalanx, Yugen, being one of Li Feng's closest officers and Soldiers, also benefited, being promoted from "Sergeant NCO" to "Master Sergeant SNCO."
As an excellent Soldier, he naturally deserved the rank of Master Sergeant.
"Of course, Political Commissar."
She turned to the youngest Lieutenant.
This was a blonde girl with a handsome face, looking more like a farm girl than an officer in uniform.
Kastin nodded: "Sura, call the quartermaster to sort this out."
(There's an image in the paragraph comment. Jannett Sura was the first female Lord General of the Imperium of Man. She was also a legend of the 579th Legion and a tsundere. When working with Little Treasure Kai, she always found fault with Cain, but in her memoirs written in old age, she praised Cain to the heavens.)
"I'll do it myself."
Sura replied quickly, her enthusiasm slightly exceeding what a zealous young officer should display:
"That old man named Magill did his best, and he's not part of the command structure anyway."
Kastin nodded, but Brocklaw's jaw tightened, and most of the male officers present couldn't hide their displeasure.
Kastin explained: "Sura was our quartermaster before this promotion.
No one knows the resources on this ship better than she does."
"I believe that, and I also believe she has far more difficult tasks than finding Yugen a bunk.
Yugen will contact Sergeant Magill himself, if you don't mind."
"Not at all."
Kastin looked a bit confused, then dismissed the thought.
Cain noticed from the corner of his eye that Brocklaw was now looking at him with almost a certain respect.
Meanwhile, outside the viewport, a massive fleet emerged from a Warp rift, and at the center of that fleet was a colossal battleship.
At this moment, a Navy Soldier from the battle-berth of the wrath of justice hurried over and reported to Colonel Kastin and Commissar Cain:
"Sir, we have received communication from the expeditionary fleet's flagship, the battleship emperors lash. Our ship will join the expeditionary fleet and connect to the battleship via a gangway."
Cain almost laughed when he heard the name "emperors lash," but as a Political Commissar, he managed to restrain himself.
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