On one of the many ships on the way to rendevous with the Eldar at Craftworld Alaitoc, a Lunar-clas Cruiser, sits a lone Guardsman of the Cadian Shock Troopers. He is kneeling before an altar dedicated to the Emperor, a necklace with the Aquila clutched in his hands as he prays in High Gothic for protection in the coming wars, as well as clearance in his mind, heart, and soul.
He is Lieutenant Gideon Alkins, soldier dedicated to the Emperor and Humanity, but is also slowly losing his humanity from every action he carries out. From gunning down fellow soldiers and civilians as ordered by a commissar on the basis of 'possible heretic presence,' to making pointless charges on enemies too entrenched to defeat conventionally. He has faught Orks, Traitors, Chaos, Dark Eldar, and even the Necrons. His kill count and veterancy increased with each conflict he was in, but now his heart is filled with unanswered questions.
But these questions will have to wait, as an announcment is broadcasted through the PA system.
"All guardsmen, report to your designated dropships. Battlefleet Gothic will be dropping out of the Warp in T-minus ten minutes, mark."
He then stands up, replacing his necklace around his neck and tucking the Aquila under the chest piece of his carapace armor, enclosing his helmet and slinging his lasgun over his shoulder and forming the Aquila with his hands, bowing his head before exiting his room and heading to the hanger bay.