literature

The Emperor's Acceptance

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Literature Text

As Commissar Phokas surveyed the fallen Eldar bodies, he heard a growl from behind him. It was the beastman, Sergeant Snaligraz.

"We have killed lots for the Emperor, Sir," said the beastman. "But many of us are dead."

"You have fought hard, Sergeant," said the commissar.

"Malkrul is really hurt, Sir."

"Let me see him, Sergeant," Phokas commanded.

Phokas was duly led to a group of beastmen who surrounded a wounded member of their platoon.

Commissar Phokas looked down at the wounded beastman and saw a painful sight. One of the beastman's curled horns was broken and his eye swollen and closed. He was bleeding from multiple wounds. Beastmen smelled foul at the best of times, but a wounded beastman was truly an accursed stench.

Phokas contemplated summoning a medic, but he had doubts about whether the beastman would survive long enough to receive ministrations. He also did not want to divert a medic from aiding the wounded humans. Priorities had to be made.

"Rest easy, Soldier," said Phokas.

"Soldier," murmured the beastman, as though savouring the word. Beastmen in the Imperial Guard were rarely addressed as 'soldier.' 'Beastman' was the norm, if not 'goat-head.' As far as Phokas was concerned Malkrul had earned the right to be called a soldier. As had all his beastmen comrades.

"I shed much blood for the Emperor today," said Malkrul.

"You have served well indeed. You have earned the Emperor's redemption. He accepts your sacrifice."

"Praise the Emperor!" said Malkrul, as he struggled to rise.

"You have given everything in the Emperor's service. He will receive your soul and you shall be re-born as a pure human," said the commissar.

"I shall?"

"Indeed. He accepts every soldier who gives his life in the service of humanity," said Phokas.

"Blood for the Emperor!" shouted a chorus of beastmen.

"Not now, beastmen!" said Phokas with a laugh. "The day has been won and the time for bloodshed is paused. There shall be other battles for you to fight."

"Sir, before I die, I ask that my younglings be allowed to join the guard," said Malkrul. "I have three young ones. Let them serve like I did."

The commissar nodded.

"Sergeant Snaligraz is of your herd. I shall make arrangements with him for your younglings to be inducted into the platoon."

Snaligraz growled with approval.

"Now it is time for you to receive the Emperor's Peace," said Phokas.

Phokas produced his bolt pistol and placed it against the beastman's goat-like head.

"Return to the fold of Mankind," said Phokas as he pulled the trigger.
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2 Good stories on the Beastmen, a forgotten part of WH40k. The theology of Redemption by Battle, while crude, is effective. The wounded Beastman sounds more human than the comissar...