章 104: Chapter 104
---Two and Half Weeks Later---
Maneuvering the Endless Horizon through the ancient debris field that surrounded the Blackstone Fortress and Precipice, we were set to arrive sooner than initially anticipated. Having received permission from Roboute Guilliman to explore the unclaimed structure, as the Adeptus Mechanicus was stonewall him at every turn, he had dispatched a team out here to aid in our exploration. Comprised of four experts on Old One technology, a handful of bodyguards, and a squad from the Order of the Divine Lamentation, I readily accepted the help as I knew little to nothing of this ancient technology.
"Holy shit, is that massive structure the fortress?!", Lucoa asked, pointing to the colossal, dark object in the distance.
"Yeah, that is the one.", I acknowledged, looking at the ancient, gothic superweapon, "As I previously mentioned, its internal layout changes every sixty minutes, so we are flying almost blind here. My hope is that Pathfinding Magic works inside, otherwise we are going to be here for a few weeks…maybe months."
"Your Item Box will certainly be helpful in this situation, running out of food and water could be a real problem without it.", Mylene commented, as we exited the debris field, "So where is the space station we are rendezvousing at? I do not see anything except the fortress."
"Haha…it is that amalgamation of broken ships in front of us.", I chuckled, as Horizon focused the external cameras on what looked like a trashy modern art piece.
Looking at me skeptically, the three of them thought I was messing with them till a few starships departed the station. Watching them dive into the debris field without hesitation, two of the vessels careened into large chunks of metal, exploding seconds later.
"Why are they doing something so reckless?!", Mylene inquired, with a worried expression.
<As we are currently on the fringes of the Imperium of Man, in addition to explorers seeking to capture the fortress, many criminals and enemies of the state have taken refuge here. Arriving here in a Gloriana-Class Battleship has made the residence believe a Space Marine Chapter has come to cleanse the station. Those with the capability to flee are doing so now while those who are stuck here are preparing to engage us once we board the station.>
"Criminals only or are relatively innocent bystanders being caught up in this too?", I questioned, wanting clarification.
<Mostly criminals, but many nonhuman races are joining them as the Imperium has little tolerance for xenos, Master.>
"Using the intelligence we have gathered, eliminate the criminals and pacify the rest of them.", I ordered, pulling up alongside the front of the station, "Have my handpicked platoon join us in the hanger below. We will teleport over together as a group once the nanobots have wrapped up the cleanup."
<Executing your orders now, Master.>
Leaving Horizon in charge of the safety and well-being of the ship, we took the lift down to the hanger and waited for the platoon to join us. Marching over to us as they entered the hangar, the group of forty soldiers saluted me as they fell into line. Choosing to bring twenty heavy troopers, ten stealth units, five automaton, three marksmen, and two medical units, I was confident that our group would be sufficient to capture the fortress. Confirming that they were all ready for deployment, we stood by and waited to be teleported aboard the station.
---Ten Minutes Later---
Arriving somewhere in the market, the remnants of the station's welcoming party closed ranks and backed away from us. Drawing their weapons and aiming at the group, my soldiers carefully monitored the group for any sign of aggression. Believing they were about to join the criminals the nanobots had just disassembled, the civilians and xenos closed their eyes waiting for death to take them.
"Stand down.", I commanded my soldiers, "The criminals have already been dealt with, we are not here to massacre civilians and noncombatants."
Doing as I ordered; the soldiers lowered their weapons and began securing the immediate area. Rushing past the group without giving them a second look, the locals looked around in confusion as they were unsure what was happening. Stepping forward to settle things, a scraggily old man hobbled out of the group and slowly approached me. Coming to a stop several feet away, he began to kneel before me before I made him stop.
"There is no need for that, I am not an Imperial Nobleman, a Primarch, or a Space Marine. My name is Victor von Stark, bounty hunter and scientist by trade.", I introduced myself, "I sincerely apologize for causing everyone so much trouble. Please rest assured that we are not here to harm any of you. What happened a few minutes ago was only us dealing with the scum that called this station home."
"My name is Captain Semore Edwards; I am one of the leaders of this space station.", Edward replied, glancing over at my ship, "How did you come by that ship? Gloriana-Class Battleships are exclusively operated by the Adeptus Astartes."
"It was a reward for slaying Khârn the Betrayer and his Butcherhorde.", I answered, "It was formerly known as the Conqueror and before that the Absolute Resolve."
"You fought Khârn the Betrayer and killed him?!", Edwards gasped, having not heard about his death.
Pulling Khârn's infamous chainaxe, Gorechild, out of my storage, Edward's face paled as he instantly recognized the weapon. Having heard countless tales of its appearance and heads it had taken, the captain hurriedly asked me to put it away as it was too much for him to look at. Taking a moment to calm himself and collect his thoughts, the captain asked what brought us out to this shithole of a space station.
"We are here to rendezvous with a group from the Imperium, then heading out to capture the Blackstone Fortress.", I advised, "Have they arrived yet?"
"Yeah, they are here…", Edwards acknowledged, with an angry look, "They are holed up in the top floor of this section. Take the freight elevator over there all the way, you will not miss them."
Glancing over in the direction he was pointing; I noticed that the lift was covered in blood splatter and bullet holes.
'Damn it Roboute, you should have thought about what sort of people you were sending out into the sticks.', I thought, turning back to him, "Tell me what happen, if you would please."
"Those fucking id- ", Edwards began to say, before catching himself, "Your allies showed up unannounced two days ago and walked in here like they owned the place. When they saw xenos among the people living here, they went on a shooting spree and attempted to seize control of the station. We fought back and managed to corral them in the top floor of this section, it has been a stalemate ever since then. If you would kindly take them and go, we would all really appreciate it."
"I understand, while it is too little too late, I sincerely apologize for their actions.", I said, lowering my head to them, "We will regroup with them now, and leave the station posthaste."
"After they are gone from this sector, you should stop by and have a drink with me. While your colleagues are no longer welcome here, Precipice is open to you.", Edwards assured me, "Also, thank you for helping clean up the garbage here on the station a bit. It will go a long way toward quickly restoring order once the Imperials are gone."
Promising to visit once our exploration was complete, our group shuffled into the freight elevator and ascended to the top floor. Erecting a barrier in front of us for the hailstorm of lasrifle fire would we were about to get, I ordered everyone not to return fire. Acknowledging my orders, as the doors began to open, a split second later the Imperial Forces on the other side began turning the elevator doors into swiss cheese. Continuing to fire till they had a clear view of us, the soldiers abruptly stopped and lowered their rifles. Realizing we were friendlies, one of the Sisters rushed forward to speak with me.
"Lord Stark, my apologies, we thought it was another group of xenos scum coming up here to retake this level.", she said, as we stepped off the lift, "Superior Sister Ionica, Lord Stark has arrived with his party!"
Rushing out of a nearby tavern, the squad commander stepped forward to greet me. Exchanging pleasantries with her, I did a quick survey of the space to get a headcount.
"Where is everyone else or is it just you twelve?", I asked.
"Artisan Mane, could you please come speak with Lord Stark?", Ionica requested.
Hearing the signature sound of motors and servos engaging, four tech-priests flanked by several Skitarii guards came walking out of the same tavern that Ionica had come from. Warily approaching me, the one I assumed was their leader raised his hand to me.
"Greetings, Victor von Stark.", Mane said, in a synthetic tone, "I look forward to working with you during this investigation."
"Likewise, Guilliman mentioned the four of you are familiar with Old One technology. Is that correct?", I inquired, shaking his hand.
"To a degree, yes.", Mane replied, "In truth, we have barely scratched the surface of their technological knowledge. Due to a strong hatred for xenotech within the Mechanicus, as it is abhorrent to the Omnissiah, researching foreign technology is quite difficult. The small number of us that weather the storm are the unsung heroes of our order, and we will never receive recognition for that. Our blasphemous research helps the Mechanicus understand things we were previously unable to comprehend bringing us all closer to the Omnissiah."
'They see themselves as martyrs helping bring their Order closer to enlightenment, what a bunch of bullshit. If they are of some use in understanding the Old One's technology, I can live with it.', I thought, "Is this everyone then?"
"Yes, this is everyone.", Ionica acknowledged, "Shall we proceed back to our ship?"
"No, I will teleport us directly to the entrance of the fortress.", I answered, having Jarvis prepare the teleporter, "Everyone gather round!"
Doing as I requested, once the entirety of the group was in range, Jarvis initiated the transfer.
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