Commissar General

"When Chomaki fell, and Yarrick took his place, I knew I'd seen the birth of an Imperial Hero."

--Commissar Hendrik Irwin

"Sir?" There was a tad of anxiety in Hendrik Irwin's voice. He was looking at his commander, Commissar General Amadeus Chomaki, and Chomaki in turn was staring at the lanky young man next to Irwin.

"I... I... I..." was all that Chomaki managed.

Rolf was as astonished as Irwin over Chomaki's reaction. He looked at the fragments of Chomaki's shot glass. Drinking on duty? He hadn't expected that from a man as famous as Chomaki. Now Rolf remembered the face of the man that had visited his family when his father had died. It had been the same man that had stayed a while and talked to his granduncle. It had been a commissar and it had been Chomaki. Chomaki had met Rolf, but only briefly. But Rolf clearly remembered the middle-aged commissar.

Getting tired of the obvious stalemate, Irwin ambled over to the tray of drinks and picked up a bottle of soda water. Pouring it into a drinking glass, Irwin stood himself before his commander (now being able to read what it said on the non-regimental T-shirt Chomaki was wearing) and tossed the water into Chomaki's face.

"Welcome back to reality." Irwin said simply and poured the glass full of soda water again. This, however, he drank. Putting down the glass, he handed Chomaki his handkerchief, so that the commissar general could wipe his face dry of the water. Chomaki handed back the handkerchief to Irwin without even looking at the chunky man. He was still staring at Rolf, transfixed.

"I can't frekking believe it..." Chomaki mumbled. "Is it really you, Rolf?"

Rolf nodded. Yarrick threw a glance at Irwin, who now had bent down to pick up the biggest pieces of the destroyed shot glass. It was obvious it went badly on his knees and hips.

"Shouldn't we get someone to clean that up?" Yarrick asked cautiously. Chomaki looked down at his colleague, gripped Irwin by the collar of his shirt and pulled him upright.

"You shouldn't do such things, Hendrik. They're not good for your knees, nor is it suitable work for a commissar."

"I just removed the bigger shards," Irwin replied, holding out his hand, showing the glass fragments he'd picked up.

"Alright, but now, go and get a cleaner. Off you go, Hendrik." Chomaki gently shoved Irwin before himself so that he and Yarrick were left alone in Chomaki's office. Chomaki noticed Rolf's curious look. "I know, he means well, but right now, he'd only be in the way. Never met a man with so little imagination..." Chomaki sighed.

"So, you're here then, Rolf ma boy." Chomaki said to ease the tense feeling between the two. "I saw on the news recently what happened to your family... I'm truly grieved over it, just as you, no doubt." Chomaki looked at Rolf. The young man didn't move. Chomaki poured up some soda water in a glass and tipped a little brandy in it. He offered it to Rolf. "Take this, it'll help, I promise."

Rolf looked dubiously at the glass, and then took it. "I've never tasted alcohol before..." he mumbled.

"Then drink it slowly." Chomaki said and guided Rolf to sit down on a chair. "Then we might be able to talk about this sergeant business with you."

Yarrick nodded and drank the (by now) amber coloured water slowly. Chomaki picked up a data-slate that Irwin had slipped on a table. Irwin had his ways... His thumb on the scroll button, Chomaki read about Rolf. He knew full well who the lad was, and as he'd thought, he was too young for Guard. Chomaki's brow furrowed.

Yarrick noticed this and looked up. "I know, sir. I'm far too young for service in the Imperial Guard, no?"

Chomaki nodded. "Yes, but it seems Irwin has put up a display of incredible ingenuity... for him. He has suggested that we change your age to an older, until you're old enough to be officially listed. Irwin believes the Administratum won't notice, because it will only be for... three years?" Chomaki paused. "You're fifteen years old, Rolf?"

Rolf nodded.

"And I take it you're aiming for a career as an Imperial Guard officer?" Chomaki asked, putting down the data-slate. Rolf nodded again.

"I have a suggestion, Rolf. Instead of becoming an Imperial Guard officer, how about becoming a commissar?" Chomaki noticed Rolf's shocked look. "I know, it sounds crazy. But I mean it. Caspar had only praise for you, Rolf. You seem to be a bright boy, and according to Caspar, you're a-"

"I know what you're going to say, sir. Please don't say it. My mother wasn't too happy about it. Neither was my father. It was only Caspar who liked it. And I'm not too fond of it either. At school I've been called..." Rolf hesitated a moment. He didn't want to say it...

"Mutant?" Chomaki tried.

"Wolf."

Chomaki looked shocked. He remembered how Caspar had told about the werewolf children that cursed his family, but he'd thought it to be just a story. Something to scare children with. But he had to admit; there was something lupine over Rolf. He doubted in every way that Rolf was a half-breed, as Caspar had told him, instead he believed Rolf to be something far more. Chomaki knew the Legend of the Eagle, the Wolf and the Hound of Chaos as well as any other educated individual in the Imperium. But he also knew the life history of Hrodwulf Le'man, told to him by eager Yarricks when visiting their home to see Caspar. They were proud over their past, and ever more proud of Hrodwulf, the first Imperial Saint. He had died at an incredible age: over three hundred years old, and it was long before the Space Marine Legions had been formed. A legend amongst legends: that had been Hrodwulf Le'man. Was Chomaki seeing this incredible human reborn? He doubted it, but to hope is always fun.

But how to tell the young lad this? Chomaki decided not to. Instead, he was going to take a new turn, as there was a light knock on the door, and the cleaner came in. It was a hunched man, wearing a cowl over his head. Chomaki knew who it was.

"Hello there Skuli," Chomaki said and smiled down at the hunched figure. The cowl turned up to look at the commissar general. A pair of yellow cat's eyes looked back from inside the cowl. They seemed surprised first, but later had a milder tone to them. Skuli smiled.

"Good afternoon, master Chomaki," Skuli said. His voice was disturbingly hoarse, but it didn't seem made-up or strained. "I'm just here to take away those nasty glass shards Commissar Irwin told me about."

"It was just a mistake. The young lad here surprised me." Chomaki gestured to Rolf. Skuli looked up from his doings and studied the young man.

"You're that boy on the tele-slate, right? You must miss your family." Skuli said and went on with his duty.

Rolf stared at the creature. "He's a mutant?"

Chomaki stared at Rolf. Skuli stopped working and stared first at Chomaki and then on Rolf, his eyes glazed. "Yes, Skuli is a mutant and I don't like it..."

"But you're a kind mutant, Skuli. You help us humans, don't you?" Chomaki said and knelt down beside Skuli and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, I am a nice guy." Skuli said and snivelled silently. Chomaki looked at Rolf.

"He doesn't like to be reminded of his impurity, see." Chomaki turned to Skuli. "Skuli, show Rolf here your face."

Reluctantly, Skuli removed the cowl and turned to face Rolf. Rolf had expected to see a face distorted beyond recognition, but Skuli's was remarkably human. So, he had cat's eyes, fangs and quills instead of hair. He had only three fingers, and his feet seemed made for climbing, with two toes, and a thumb-like third toe and his skin was in a greenish hue. But overall, Skuli seemed very human. He looked a tad like a lizard, but otherwise there was no ugliness to his face.

"For this, the Inquisition would kill him." Chomaki said and gestured towards Skuli's face. A few seconds later, Skuli pulled the cowl back up. "But, I am generous. I saved Skuli from certain death, with the promise to make a fine Imperial citizen of him. He's just as smart as you and me, he just... has his looks against him."

Skuli had finished his work and left, excusing himself.

Left alone again, Chomaki turned to Rolf. "In a way, you and Skuli aren't very different, right? It's just that his mutation is visible in a different way. And I've had enough of that hypocrisy! I've learned everybody else in this regiment to accept that Skuli is one of my best aides, helping me with many things, and he's ferociously loyal."

"He has his reasons, doesn't he, sir?" Rolf said and emptied the last of the soda/brandy.

"Yes, of course." Chomaki said silently and sat down. "Now, Rolf, what do you think of becoming a commissar cadet instead of officer?"

"I don't know what to think, sir. It's an honour, of course, but I'm not trained in the Schola Progenum."

"Why should that prevent you from becoming a cadet? Now, I have enough influence in the Commissariat to do this kind of thing. They've been nagging me a while to take up a cadet, but I've refused, or they haven't simply allowed me to have a cadet. But now that you've entered my life..." Chomaki shrugged. "It just seems natural."

Yarrick nodded. This was more than he could imagine. "But, how will I become a cadet commissar?"

"You prove yourself in battle. I have no doubt of Hendrik's judgement of people. Although he happens to be a bit of a gourmand, he knows what he's doing when he suggests promotions. And you must be special indeed to make him choose you as your father's replacement. Of all things..."

"My father was first sergeant in Lieutenant Kamer's platoon?" Rolf asked, genuinely surprised.

"Yes, and a good one too. He was taken by nothing less than a Berzerker Champion. Brave man. And in a way, it's my way of seeing if you are worthy of cadet hood, Rolf. See, Kamer's platoon happens to be the mechanised wing of the 27th."

"I see..."

"Good that you do." Chomaki looked at his timepiece. "Almost time for my little afternoon stroll." Chomaki saw Rolf's wondering look. "I like to exercise and keep in shape. Otherwise I'd look like Irwin, wouldn't I? Nothing ill about him, but he's a bit... weighty, right?"

Rolf tried to hide a smile. "I guess so, sir."

"Now, Rolf, remember that my door is always open for you. Have any problems or questions, ask me. Even if it so concerns your family, because I knew your father and your grand cousin very well."

Rolf stopped in the doorway. "You knew Uncle Caspar?"

"Rolf, he was my mentor; the man that made me a commissar. I owed him much." Chomaki bit back to talk about a strange prophesy he'd been given once.

"Well, then," Rolf said and walked out. "Have a nice day, sir."

Chomaki watched the young man leave and sighed silently to himself.

"Damn you, McKenzie. You're always right, you frekk." Chomaki mumbled silently to himself.

********************************

Time passed quickly in the Guard for Rolf Yarrick. He couldn't believe that time would go that quickly. Most of the time was waiting anyway. Waiting for battle, orders and the like. A dog's life. The life of a dog-soldier, a ground-pounder... An infantryman. He progressed too. Rolf soon proved worthy of even higher command than first sergeant. Chomaki wasn't slow to recognise this. When Kimal Kamer finally fell in battle (gutted by a Berzerker's chainsword), Chomaki promoted Rolf Yarrick to lieutenant over third platoon.

In the three years that passed until his eighteenth birthday, Yarrick was hardened and sharpened by the Fires of Battle and the Anvil of War. Rolf received his promotion to lieutenant at his seventeenth year, although Chomaki and Irwin were the only ones who knew how old he truly was. The Imperial Arbiters had been informed of Rolf Yarrick's whereabouts, and as soon as that was cleared up, the Yarrick family slaughter was quieted down.

Indeed, Rolf fought many battles at his tender age, honing his skills with the family sword and becoming a terrifying opponent to meet in close combat. Irwin and Chomaki knew of Rolf's gene strand, and they watched as Rolf grew up, and became taller, quicker and stronger for every day. They both knew they were on to something. But still, Rolf cared but for one thing: To become the warrior to be the Dark Lord's match!

Things started to shape up for Rolf Yarrick nearly two months after his eighteenth birthday. Irwin had notified Rolf early that he'd switched back the true age information on Rolf. But that was months ago. This was now, and now he had been called to Chomaki's room on the great big transport ship. They were in orbit of Elysion, the crystal planet, to give the Callidussian regiments some days off from the killing and slaughter.

On his way to Chomaki's office, Rolf passed Irwin. He liked the man, as he'd thought. Irwin was easy to like. He was perhaps a bit leisurely in his ways, but he was at heart a kind soul. But Rolf knew full well how heartlessly Irwin could kill the minions of the Dark. And, despite being overweight, Irwin had turned out to be very agile, his chain-sword being where the enemy was the softest. Yarrick had started fencing against Irwin, but after only a few months, Rolf had proved the better and shoved Irwin over his shoulder in one of the training sessions, breaking one of Irwin's wrists.

Irwin walked up to Rolf. "So, you have been called up to Amadeus, eh? Day of Judgement," Irwin said and smiled. A rare expression for him. Irwin rarely showed emotions.

Rolf looked down on the rotund little man. "I believe so, sir. But I doubt I'd fail. Do you?"

Irwin shook his head as he walked along with Rolf. Rolf slowed down a bit, so that Irwin could keep up. Rolf measured just over two metres ten now. Irwin was just under one metre seventy and rather round over the belly now. There was no denying for Irwin now that he was going fat. Rolf had seen Irwin in battle, yes, but it wasn't often, and only on engagements with Berzerkers, not otherwise. Rolf guessed Irwin was tied up with tedious regimental and political stuff most of the time, and thus he didn't move around much. Rolf felt very sorry for the man. He knew how pained Irwin was by his knees and hips. Rolf had talked to the regimental doctor and gotten the answer that Irwin had been told to lose weight, but didn't. Rolf felt he was the only one that cared for the poor man; being caught in a downwards spiral that ended with death.

"How are you, Hendrik?" Rolf asked, concern in his tenor voice.

"As usual; my knees ache every single minute. So do my hips and my back. And I'm not getting younger." The short man sighed heavily. He looked up at Rolf, as if reading the young man's thoughts. "I just can't lose weight. I just can't."

Irwin left Rolf by Chomaki's office. Rolf watched the squat man shamble off. Irwin had his head bowed as he walked, in deep thought it seemed.

"Or depression..." Rolf mumbled silently to himself before knocking on the door. Hearing Chomaki's reply, he went in and closed the door.

"Ah, there you are, Lieutenant." Chomaki said and turned, beaming. "Sit down, by all means." Chomaki gestured towards a chair.

Rolf sat down obediently. "Sir?"

Chomaki thumbed a bit on a paper he was holding. "I submitted this to the Imperial Commissariat more than a month ago, and now it is signed and ready. Read it yourself." Chomaki handed over the paper to Rolf. Rolf looked at it, brow furrowed. It was written in High Gothic, a language he knew naught about. He knew what it was, of course, but he couldn't read it. He handed it back to Chomaki with a shrug.

"I can't read it, sir. I'm sorry, but I don't understand High Gothic."

"Then I'll read it for you," Chomaki said and held it up in a suitably solemn way. "I'll skip the boring bits in the beginning, and just read their reply, okay?"

Rolf shrugged.

"Right..." Chomaki cleared his throat for measure. "It is hereby decreed, by the Will of the Emperor Most Holy, that Commissar and General over the Callidussian 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th; Amadeus Viktor Chomaki has the right to accept Imperial Guard Lieutenant of the Callidussian 27th's 3rd platoon 1st company, Hrodwulf, that's High Gothic for Rolf (apparently), Yarrick as Cadet Commissar. The training period is as listed by the Creeds and Edicts of the Imperial Commissariat, i.e. I have you as cadet as long as I consider you to be in need of training. When the training period is over, when I say you're ready Rolf, the induction into the Imperial Commissariat by the subject must be supervised by named tutor and a member of the Administratum."

Chomaki paused. "There's more, Rolf: Should the subject, you, fail in any way that the tutor deems as severe, the tutor has the right to mete out punishment as he/she sees fit... " Chomaki paused again. "That means that if you screw up, and I catch you doing it, I have the right to take back the rank as cadet commissar. Should the... crime be of a lighter state, I have the right to send you to a penal legion, where you most surely will serve as some sort of riot control."

"Does it read that? With riot control?" Rolf asked anxiously.

"Not really, but it is what they mean." Chomaki put down the paper. "So, what do you think, Rolf? I am now your tutor. And you're my first cadet. They haven't allowed me before due to 'unorthodox' proceedings. Seems they've given up finally."

Rolf sat silent a good while. So, he was a commissar cadet now. The galaxy would be at his feet if he succeeded in this training... It would be hard, it would be craving, but he was ready. Contemplating this a while, Rolf then looked up Chomaki in anticipation.

"I see you're waiting for something..." Chomaki said and smiled. "Come with me, then, cadet Yarrick."

Rolf would savour the sound of his newfound rank for hours to come, rolling the sound in his head. He liked it.

Chomaki and Yarrick walked with each other down to the belly of the huge transport. An Imperial Guard regiment wasn't just soldiers. It was a whole lot like a circus; there were cooks, barbers, tailors and others accompanying it. Rolf followed Chomaki to one of the tailors.

"Now," Chomaki said as they entered the tailor's office. "We need to get you a suitable uniform, right? And," Chomaki said and picked down a size-58 peaked cap from its stand. "The right headgear." He handed the peaked cap to Rolf, who tried it out. Putting it squarely on his head, he looked at himself in a mirror while Chomaki went to fetch the officers' tailor. The cap was in the yellow/green camouflage of the Callidussian regiments with a plastic black peak and red lining on the top. It was fitted with a pair of holes on the side, just above the ears. Rolf guessed them to be for brass braids, for those that held such high rank. He studied himself; Rolf liked the cap already. It gave him... something he couldn't put his finger on. It wasn't charisma... it was something more.

Chomaki came back with the tailor, tearing Rolf from his thoughts.

"Here he is, Yosef. Cadet Commissar Rolf Yarrick." Chomaki said and gestured to Rolf. Rolf looked at the small, thin man accompanying the commissar general. He was grey-haired and wore small glasses. Behind the glasses a pair of genial, brown eyes looked back.

"Ah, you've found a tall and athletic young man, Amadeus!" the tailor exclaimed. He stuck out a gnarled hand to Rolf. "I am Tailor Yosef Kylraun, but all officers know me as Yosef."

Rolf took the hand and shook it. There was something strangely reassuring with Kylraun.

"Now, I need to take some measures on you. Unlike the foot soldiers, officers have the privilege of tailored uniforms, which will fit you like a glove. Other officers are also quite good at filling out their uniforms... so to speak." Kylraun glanced quickly to Chomaki, who tried to hide a smile. They both knew whom Kylraun referred to. Kylraun pulled out his tape measure. "Now... let's see."

He tapped a tiny microphone by his cheek, so he would be able to record the measurements and write them down later. He spoke softly as he calmly and with used hands measured Rolf from top to bottom. As he finished, Kylraun tapped the microphone again and beamed up at Rolf.

"There you go, sonny!" Kylraun turned to Chomaki. "The usual, Amadeus? Black leather greatcoat, black twill dolman's jacket and breeches?"

Chomaki looked thoughtful. He studied the peaked cap that still was on Rolf's head. "No, make it camouflage, as the rest of the Callidussian. I just can't imagine Rolf here in a black uniform, for some reason..." Chomaki scratched his head. "What do you think, Rolf?"

"I-" Rolf began but was abruptly cut short by a rushed aide.

"Commissar General, we have a major brawl in the 29th's 5th company's troop deck! Knives and bayonets have come out!"

Chomaki rose and put on his peaked cap. "Have the regimental commissars been informed?"

"Yes, but it wasn't enough!"

Chomaki stormed out, cursing freely in Callidussian, with the aide in tow, leaving Rolf behind. Rolf stood where he stood with the tailor.

"Does this happen often?" Rolf asked.

"Mostly when we are in transit like this..." Kylraun replied, looking up from his scribbling. "You should get used to it. This is part of a commissar's daily work. To maintain discipline."

"But I'm a cadet now; why didn't he take me with him?"

"You heard the aide, boy. Weapons had been drawn, and most surely blood too."

Rolf sagged down on a chair. "I feel left out."

"Can't say I feel sorry for you," Kylraun replied simply from his desk. "Now, Chomaki didn't want you to have a black uniform. That's odd. What would you like? Camouflage?"

Rolf nodded slowly. "Yes, but skip the breeches and the dolman's jacket. Just the coat."

Kylraun looked up, surprise in his eyes. "Why?"

"I don't know... I have a feeling they'll hamper my movement... and I rely on my agility when I fight."

Kylraun chuckled. "Can't argue over such a good reason... Only the coat then? And that cap?"

Rolf removed the cap from his head. "Yes, I like it." He handed the cap to Kylraun.

"Thank you, sir." Kylraun said as he took the cap and put a tag on it with the label 'ComCadYar'. "You should know, it's not often I get such a well-trained man here. Chomaki excepted of course."

"You are referring to Irwin, Yosef?" Rolf said and had a dark look in his eyes. Kylraun noticed this.

"As the officers' tailor, I can't go by without noticing that Commissar Irwin has become rather plump these last seven years. It's especially noticeable around his waist."

"That of course, but it is of no good to make fun out of him. I heard your... gibe. You and Chomaki, you have no idea of how much pain Irwin is in, both physically and psychologically. He can't help himself. Irwin happens to be a buoyant man at heart, but it's apparent he isn't anymore."

Kylraun looked stumped. "Commissar Irwin has looked quite... depressed lately, now when you mention it."

Rolf took up his officer's jacket from the chair he'd been sitting on and put the jacket on. He didn't button it though. "There are times, Yosef, when I believe myself to be the only one to care about Commissar Irwin's well-being, besides the regimental doctor. And there are times like this, that confirm that rule." Rolf walked over to the door and looked over his shoulder before walking out. "Irwin is no less human than me or you, Yosef. So stop making fun out of him, despite that he happens to be a bit rotund."

With that, Rolf left the tailor to his work and his thoughts.