As an Iron-Commander, he was quite ancient, even by marine standards he had lived a long life, and as the many scars on what flesh remained on his body confessed it was not a sheltered life. He drew the pad from his gaze, turning it instead on his marine. His voice rang completely mechanical, deep, and as synthetic as it was, it was sharp and demand attentiveness. “You have had quite an odyssey, Sergeant. This is a fantastic tale, to be sure. I am sure that the Inquisition will find it satisfactory.”

His hand moved forward, setting down the tablet. “They will be here soon, of course, as they never happen to be far from us. I must say that I would like a little more levity from you about this, though. Tell me, again, how it happened... from the beginning.”