GUARDSMAN - 2018

The guardsman fell through the floor because the weight of his balls were to too heavy.

There were no footsteps until the prayer. He was there the whole time

Guardsmen: "I'll meet the Emperor like a man." Space Marine: "This guy."

The only thing more terrifying than a Space Marine is a stealthy Space Marine

"WHAT IS YOUR DUTY, GUARDSMEN?" "TO DIE STANDING."

If you're wondering why this space marine helped Raines consider the following: the space marine is from the Angels of Vengeance chapter, notoriously stubborn and who cannot accept failure. So much so they have a history of suffering very heavy losses but at the same time they have achieved objectives thought unobtainable by almost everyone else. So this particular marine sees Raines stand up with a busted leg, a fried Lasgun, against a group of hormogaunts with a piddling combat knife. He's not run or broken down, he is standing defiant, not accepting failure, embodying the AoV. The space marine practically fell in love

"The Emperor protects!" "Yes. He does." I just love the ever so slight hint of amusement in the space marine's voice.

Imagine being the guardsman. Knowing you are facing certain death and your best bet is a flimsy knife. You utter one last prayer. And then you hear it. The scariest thing in the room. And hes on your side.

Astartes may be the Emperor's Bulwark, but the Guard is His middle-finger.

"This is my lasgun. There are many like it, but this is by far the worst."

If a guardsman is lucky, they'll tell you to get out of their way instead of using you like a meat shield. But an Astartes telling you to pick up your weapon to fight next to them is the highest level of respect a guardsman can be given.

"for every one that falls, another ten rise up to take their place" And sometimes, if the other nine are very lucky, the tenth is an Astartes.

That guardsman's eyes... He's Cadian. The planet broke before the guard did.

Guardsman: Whelp, I'm about to die a horrible death. Might as well meet the Emperor with dignity. Space Marine: RESPECC

This reminds me of a scene from Helsreach where Chaplain Grimaldus says “there is no shame in fear. Fear is natural, fear is human. It is what separates you from the Xenos scum. There is only shame in cowardice, in running away to let others die in your place”

The fact the guardsman didn't thank the Space Marine, but the Emperor himself it's such a cool touch. That level of devotion and of true wholeharted faith in the Emperor, it's something most people forget to depict in the 40k universe.

Xeno's #134: "Why are we waiting in the dark? Let's eat the human already!" Xeno's #156: "Look what's standing behind the human, Idiot."

I love that the Guardsman doesn't ask for the Emperors protection or for his life to be spared. Just for the strength to kill one more Xenos before he goes before the Throne. No wonder the marine seemed to take a liking to him.

The space marine was like "nah I'm walking this guy to the augment table myself" this is one of our boys

"Take up your weapon, guardsman" That's pretty much the Adeptus Astartes way of saying "Keep fighting, I got your back!'