Amidst the endless war of the 41st Millennium, the Emperor's soldiers must take what quiet moments of comradeship they can – and as Commissar Severina Raine and Captain Andred Fel share such a moment, they bond over the horrors of their past.

Read it because

Rachel Harrison explores the ways in which the Imperium forges its weapons through the Schola Progenium, laying bare the hideous trials future commissars and storm troopers are put through in order to ensure that they really are the best of the best.

The story

As their war against the Chaos cult known as the Sighted rages on, the 11th Antari Rifles have been forced into the safety of underground tunnels.

As her foes bombard the surface, Commissar Severina Raine patrols the tunnels, and finds kinship with another survivor of the Schola Progenium. Remembering the trials she underwent as a would-be commissar, she asks Militarum Tempestus captain Andred Fel about what he underwent.

As they share stories, both face up to the horror of their pasts, and the hope of their future.