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        –Unnecessary, really.  That’s what his advisers told him.  The Primarch’s duties were outstanding; any new requisitions could be arranged through the proper channels – no need for the old general to so much as step foot out of the war room.  Yet, Adrien missed the cold muzzle of an assault rifle in his grip, the constant, reassuring weight at his hip.

         It was far too easy to feel old inside, to feel useless and alienated from the battles he no longer had a direct hand in commanding.  Yes, his tactical abilities painted the sweep of war in broad, far-reaching strokes – but he felt too safe, too removed from action while scores of his own people died under his orders.

       Ordering a gun from a spectre requisitions officer would no more bring the souls of the wandering dead back from the hands of the spirits - and the name of one young officer haunted him especially - but it could at least maintain the fantasy that he could help, somehow.

        It was for this reason that he approached the younger turian behind the desk.  “I want high-impact shot; moddable.  Range is immaterial, and I’m willing to sacrifice accuracy for something that can tear the target to shreds faster than you can say ‘warp rounds’.  Got anything like it?”

August  6   ( 12 )   +
HW