CHAPTER TWELVE

COMMANDOS!

200 OF THE FINEST NEEDED!

DEFEND THE FAITH OF CENTURIES!

PAY GUARANTEED

Colonel Sten, late of His Imperial Majesty's Third Guards Assault Division, is hiring 200 elite soldiers to assist in the protection of one of the Empire's most respected social and theocratic orders.

NONHUMANOID FREELANCES UNFORTUNATELY

CANNOT BE CONSIDERED DUE TO ABOVE RELIGIOUS

CONDITIONS

Only the Best Need Apply!

The Lupus Cluster and the Faith of Talamein is under attack by a godless and mercenary horde, attempting to invade and destroy some of this sector's most beautiful and desirable worlds, inhabited by peace-loving people. Needed individual equipment: individual weapons, cold-weather suits, space combat suits.

Combatants should expect little ground leave.

A SHARP SHOCK NEEDED!

Colonel Sten, highly regarded in the Guard both for his extensive combat experience (18 major planetary assaults, numberless raids and company-size actions), is noted for having the lowest casualty rate in the Third Guards. THOSE ACCEPTED

WILL BE PROVIDED WITH USUAL SURVIVOR'S INSURANCE

PROVEN COMBAT EXPERIENCE NECESSARY To include covert operations, lifts, jugular raids, smash-and-grab, ambush, harassment, and diversionary. Background in following units preferred: Imperial Guards, Trader Landing Force, Tanh, some specific planetary forces allowed (please check with recruiter).

CONDITIONS OF DISCHARGE WILL NOT BE INQUIRED

INTO

Standard Contract

Individual acquisitions by proficient individuals or units will not be logged, provided point of origin is not from friendly forces.

Commando-qualified soldiers, individuals or units, should apply Colonel Sten. Breaker House, WH1…

Sten read the onscreen ad and winced slightly.

"You wrote this?"

"Aye." Alex said, upending his half liter of quill.

"It's gone planet-wide?"

"Aye."

"You think you're pretty clottin' funny, don't you?"

"Aye." Alex agreed smugly and keyed for another drink.