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Severina Raine #Short Story
Execution
An Astra Militarum story
In the midst of a deadly siege, Commissar Severina Raine is forced to execute an officer of the regiment she oversees and then to execute his mission and lead her forces on a dangerous mission into enemy territory.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a fantastic look at how a commissar integrates with a regiment whose ways are foreign to her, and at how she maintains discipline and takes command when forced to do the least nice part of her job – execution.
THE STORY
The traitor fortress of Mone is under siege. The Astra Militarum of the 11th Antari Rifles Stand against the rebels, desperately seeking a way to break the siege and claim victory. When their captain refuses an order to advance in the face of devastating enemy firepower, it falls to Commissar Severina Raine to marshal the Antari forces and lead them on their dangerous mission.
In the midst of a deadly siege, Commissar Severina Raine is forced to execute an officer of the regiment she oversees and then to execute his mission and lead her forces on a dangerous mission into enemy territory.
READ IT BECAUSE
It's a fantastic look at how a commissar integrates with a regiment whose ways are foreign to her, and at how she maintains discipline and takes command when forced to do the least nice part of her job – execution.
THE STORY
The traitor fortress of Mone is under siege. The Astra Militarum of the 11th Antari Rifles Stand against the rebels, desperately seeking a way to break the siege and claim victory. When their captain refuses an order to advance in the face of devastating enemy firepower, it falls to Commissar Severina Raine to marshal the Antari forces and lead them on their dangerous mission.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2017
8 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Harrison
28 books57 followersRachel Harrison writes Warhammer 40k stories for Black Library. She also publishes under the name Ray Harrison.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Rachel^^Harrison
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Rachel^^Harrison
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 23, 2017
"Execution" is a taut and engaging little story that shows an admirable grasp of the Astra Militarum and the mindset of a commissar. Driven by character and by an engaging cast, it is a story that plays on both the necessary evils of command and the common camaraderie of soldiers.
The Antari Rifles come across as a vital and dynamic regiment, little local touches keeping them feeling organic. The cultural heritage feels almost faux-celtic/hibernian, but with enough character to set it apart. The various unit designations and the snippets of history behind them truly add to the story. This is nicely contrasted with Raine, our main character, who remembers the contrast between her own upbringing and this more loamy grounded regiment she finds herself with.
The story itself splits between the tense rush of siege warfare, a ticking clock of reloading guns, and a more characterful moment between friends. For me it really drove home the conflict within Raine; the burden of her duty and her basic drives as a human being.
The characters of the regiment are memorable and feel as though they have their own distinct personalities, even as we see them almost only in passing. The sweep of the story feels like an introduction, like the beginning of a movie. In this regard, I hope that the author gets to return to them. More stories with these characters, playing on their interactions, friendships and rivalries would be a joy. I hope they get to turn up in a full length novel.
It's also good to see such a mix of character types and presentations. A good number of the cast, including the main character, are women. Of especial note is Zane, the sanctioned psyker, and Crys who takes an almost manic glee in demolitions. I also found myself desperate to know more about Captain Andren Fel and the slightly shady Daven Wyck. Again; sequels. Novel. Please.
All in all, Execution is a joy of a story. It's one that takes a simple premise and subverts it slightly. It's tense, taut and well-executed (pardon the pun) and bodes well for any further Astra Militarum stories from its author- who has previously cut their teeth on well-constructed Space Marine stories such as The Third War.
The Antari Rifles come across as a vital and dynamic regiment, little local touches keeping them feeling organic. The cultural heritage feels almost faux-celtic/hibernian, but with enough character to set it apart. The various unit designations and the snippets of history behind them truly add to the story. This is nicely contrasted with Raine, our main character, who remembers the contrast between her own upbringing and this more loamy grounded regiment she finds herself with.
The story itself splits between the tense rush of siege warfare, a ticking clock of reloading guns, and a more characterful moment between friends. For me it really drove home the conflict within Raine; the burden of her duty and her basic drives as a human being.
The characters of the regiment are memorable and feel as though they have their own distinct personalities, even as we see them almost only in passing. The sweep of the story feels like an introduction, like the beginning of a movie. In this regard, I hope that the author gets to return to them. More stories with these characters, playing on their interactions, friendships and rivalries would be a joy. I hope they get to turn up in a full length novel.
It's also good to see such a mix of character types and presentations. A good number of the cast, including the main character, are women. Of especial note is Zane, the sanctioned psyker, and Crys who takes an almost manic glee in demolitions. I also found myself desperate to know more about Captain Andren Fel and the slightly shady Daven Wyck. Again; sequels. Novel. Please.
All in all, Execution is a joy of a story. It's one that takes a simple premise and subverts it slightly. It's tense, taut and well-executed (pardon the pun) and bodes well for any further Astra Militarum stories from its author- who has previously cut their teeth on well-constructed Space Marine stories such as The Third War.
October 24, 2017
A smart and well-paced plot, powerful but not overpowering action and a delightfully dark tone...but the characters elevate this into something a little special. Highly recommended.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/10/...
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2017/10/...
January 4, 2020
Great Story
This is a fresh look at Commissars. Serenia Rains is certainly know Ciaphas Caine. I tried this short story after reading about her on 1d4.org. I can say that I was pleasantly pleased and thoroughly entertained. This thoroughly in line with the grimdark of the 40k universe. I don't want to give a y spoilers but give this story a try, you won't be disappointed. I will be getting the rest of the series.
This is a fresh look at Commissars. Serenia Rains is certainly know Ciaphas Caine. I tried this short story after reading about her on 1d4.org. I can say that I was pleasantly pleased and thoroughly entertained. This thoroughly in line with the grimdark of the 40k universe. I don't want to give a y spoilers but give this story a try, you won't be disappointed. I will be getting the rest of the series.
March 1, 2023
Bad ass
I love her, your honor. Big fan of 40k and big fan of Commissar Raine. I read her stand alone novel, and decided to go back and read the previous stories. Truly an excellent decision. If you like gritty, brutal sci-fi then look no further.
I love her, your honor. Big fan of 40k and big fan of Commissar Raine. I read her stand alone novel, and decided to go back and read the previous stories. Truly an excellent decision. If you like gritty, brutal sci-fi then look no further.
December 30, 2020
Having picked up the 40k model of Rains I figured I'd check out her story a bit. This short was a great opening to the characters history and I will continue to read more stories revolving around Severina Rains.
September 18, 2021
Enjoyed it
It was good short read. I am now interested in reading more about her career. So I will be getting the next story.
It was good short read. I am now interested in reading more about her career. So I will be getting the next story.
July 15, 2023
Really intriguing introduction to a character and her supporting cast. I'll definitely be reading more Raine.
April 18, 2022
How does one take down a fortress deemed impenetrable? With cunning and brutality. But orky but it gets the job done.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews