Chapter 4: Preparing to Explore.

"You've got to be kidding me… Alexsandr, are you absolutely sure you didn't see the giant spaceship fall? I can't believe you slept through that… we need to contact Elias and Tina. Maybe Rhodes Island knows something about this too…" —Unknown vox interception. Integrating keywords into cogitator database.

The Clad in Ire's corridors had become somewhat of a maze to navigate, now that some sections were completely under rubble, but that didn't mean they were completely untraversable. Indeed, most of the ship's innards had remained intact, such as the foundry present in the direct middle of the ship or the apothecarium, now with its hands full from taking care of the many patients injured from the crash.

All the traversing took was time away from Faust, as he traveled on one of his private trains through the ship, into what remained of a hanger bay. It luckily hadn't been derailed, well, most of it. The part that was derailed led to the lower decks; he was completely fine not needing to communicate with those vagrants.

Accompanying Faust was Brogg, who was wearing his custom set of bullgryn armor that nearly covered his entire body, a slab shield, and a Ripper Gun turned into a pistol—nicknamed a Gnasher—with a cleaver on his belt, just in case. Otto was also nearby, sitting in the corner, trying to get some shut-eye. He had a basic guard uniform, borrowed from the 106th, and retrofitted with a cameleoline cloak. Leaning against Otto was his signature Long-las rifle. Faust had also dragged Stazia Wundertolg, as he found her entertaining enough to warrant it. The look on her face was priceless, not really wanting to go out of the ship, but also being forced to because she was taking Goethia's role. She had a spare Laspistol that Faust borrowed from one of his Fists, sufficient enough for Faust to accept despite Stazia's protests.

Faust himself was wearing his armor from yesterday, helmet under his arm. He had made sure to have one of the tech-priest's check if everything was fine. They told him it was in proper condition; He hoped they were right. On the left side of his belt was his power sword, a sheath of pure gold and adamantium, with the blade being even more prized. On the right side was his custom auto-pistol which used armor piercing rounds. The ammunition wasn't the size of bolters, but they were big enough to rework the initial magazine placement into being under the barrel. Finally, he had brought a bag from the armory carrying a surplus of grenades, mostly Melta Bombs.

The train chugged as it went on the rails, slowing down as it reached its destination. One of the hangar bays. Although, hangar bay wasn't really the correct term, as it consisted more of land vehicles than anything that could fly. Practically a standard Astra Militarum garage.

This particular hangar bay, Faust noted, was being salvaged at the moment. It was dimly lit, but there was just enough light in some areas to see everything. Faust walked around, seeing menials and work servitors already at work, carrying around the broken steel or transporting vehicles in and out. He stopped in his tracks as a Powerlifter carrying a steel beam stomped nearby, the servos hissing with each step as its pilot removed the bigger parts of steel remains.

Faust hummed, set on approaching its area. Many of the vehicles here were under destroyed steel and buried under rubble, but he had a feeling his favorite one would be completely fine.

Surely, it survived this… ah, there you are!

Faust ran over to Lucky 12, seeing the heavily modified, maroon Taurox still in peak condition. A broken spotlight was shining on it as well, illuminating it in the mostly dark hangar. Around it were other vehicles, like a Chimera or another Taurox, which were also effectively crushing them under pieces of ceiling.

The Taurox had a shielded, heavy stubber directly mounted on the pintle, along with it having a big enough opening to allow Brogg to man it. Delta had also slapped on a Heavy Arc Rifle to the turret that could be remotely aimed—separate from the pintle—that threaded the line between unholy and ingenious. As for the driver, the autocannons mounted to the hull were sufficient to not require replacement. It had two front wheels and two back tracks, along with it having extra armor and a stronger engine to compensate. On the back of the vehicle were multiple bags of supplies, just in case they were out for too long. On its side was where the name originated from, as it had a huge white number 12, situated on both sides. And finally, a built-in vox-caster in the gunner's seat. It had so many other upgrades it put the Taurox Prime to shame, but Faust would suffer no less for his choice of land vehicles.

It reminded Faust of the first time he found Lucky 12 on that Death World, Fringehearth. Also in the rubble, yet completely intact, as it kept him and his retinue alive as they escaped that fragging facility as it melted down.

"Aww, do I gotta get in?" Brogg complained, shifting nervously.

Faust chuckled, "You always complain until you man the turret, and then you don't want to get out."

Faust turned around, looking for Otto, only to find he had disappeared from Stazia's side. Stazia looked around, completely bewildered from it as well. Instead, Lucky 12's engine turned on with its headlights illuminating the darkness, and through the open hatch Faust could see Otto peeking out with a tired expression. Faust sighed, still not used to Otto disappearing and reappearing like that. Though, it was always funny when he showed up while Iuchari was nearby, completely unnerving the Aeldari to the point of leaving to laugh another day.

Faust walked closer, "Alright, let's not keep my escort waiting."

Lucky 12 was currently parked by one of the forward operating bases—recently nicknamed Indominus—along the perimeter of the crater wall. This one had been turned into a vehicle bay, even having separate landing pads, sandbags, walls, and whatever else Colonel Reginald was making use of. Construction was also in the works, set on actually turning it into a defensible position for future operations.

A few gray tents were set up too, along with patrolling guardsmen, a few skitarii and their tech-priests, and servitors who couldn't complain about the heat. Some lower deck menials had also gathered the courage to explore, some hanging around the area or establishing their own camps around the area as they set up shop.

Faust didn't really care, as he let practically anyone leave his ship. Coming aboard was a different story, as routine checks for who was allowed in were always maintained.

Faust sat outside with his helmet on, sitting in Lucky 12's open door hatch. Brogg was leaning on the side of the Taurox, watching the guardsman nearby and making sure none came close to Faust without his permission. Otto was… not here, but Faust knew he'd be back before the escort was finished prepping.

Faust had asked for a single Chimera to escort him at this F.O.B. What he was told he would receive was instead a single Tauros Venator and three other guardsmen, on account of them "still getting the Chimera's out of the hangars" and "not enough manpower to go around."

Faust's eye twitched in annoyance, seeing a Salamander Scout patrol nearby; its chassis being the exact same as a Chimera's. He sighed, letting it go… for now. He'd definitely make sure Reginald punished the idiot in charge here, but that was not now, nor needed. Maybe he should've had some of his Fists follow him…

He shook that idea away. They were busy maintaining order on the ship, and they were doing their best to keep it that way. Even one being taken would be one more blind spot on the Clad in Ire.

Faust had also contemplated on just commandeering a Valkyrie to get there, but he'd rather they be on standby, be used for rescue operations across these foreign lands, or finding bits of his scattered cargo. So, he was going to have to use Lucky 12.

Faust looked at Brogg, who from what he could tell, was enjoying the dry heat—even in his armor.

Not that Faust could feel the heat himself, his armor keeping him completely cool and dare he say comfortable.

"What do you make of this planet Brogg?"

Brogg grunted, shifting to look at Faust, "Reminds me of 'ome, Sah. Weather's nice 'n stuff, even if I hear some of 'em guardsmen complainin' abou' it. Clouds look a bit rumbly, but rain don't bother me none."

Faust glanced at the darkened clouds far away, squinting. He could see rain falling from the gray clouds, as well as red lightning clashing. "Let's hope it doesn't bother me either."

"Ya think the locals are friendly?"

Faust clenched his fist, then unclenched it, still feeling a dull pain from yesterday, "...I'd rather not meet them in the first place. I'll let someone else take care of it, that way, I don't get shot at."

Brogg grunted, "Well, if we e'er plan on meetin' them, I'll rip 'em up if they mess with us. I don't 'preciate bullies, and I sure ain't gonna let ya be messed with, Sah."

"I thank you, Brogg. I can always count on you to have my back."

"Sah, yes Sah!" Brogg saluted.

Stazia groaned within the Taurox, "Oh… when are we leaving… I'm feeling nauseous from this heat…" A sickly gag came from inside, followed by another.

Faust turned around, completely forgetting he brought along Stazia since she'd been so shell-shocked half the time he interacted with her. "If you're going to hurl, do it outside and away from me, Stazia. I'll dock it from your pay if even a sliver lands on me or Lucky 12."

Stazia swallowed, gagging again, "Never mind… I just swallowed it. Ugh…"

Faust winced in disgust, looking at a nearby guardsman for aid. "You, fetch me some water, on the double."

The random Guardsman looked at him strangely, then wordlessly nodded after seeing Brogg stare him down menacingly.

As the guardsman left, Faust's wheeled escort finally arrived. The Tauros Venator rolled close by, parking a moment later as it kicked up dirt. It was the standard color as the 106th, but it sported feathers hanging from its open carriage—almost like ornaments. It had a standard twin-linked multi-laser turret on its back, along with a gun shield for its gunner. The driver behind the wheel gave a quick salute, too highly wrapped and armored to really see anything other than his sunburned skin.

Faust hopped off the door hatch, crossing his arms as the dust settled.

"You needed some wheels? Name's Merek, and me gunna's Clovis," to which Clovis gave a curt nod, leaning on his turret. "Me an' him will take real good care of ya on tha' road, we'll make sure of that," The guardsman roughly shouted, wiping the dust off his visor.

Faust nodded, as they at least seemed competent, and turned to the rest of his escort. Arriving just on time were three guardsmen, and surprisingly a skitarii; Two males, one female, and the skitarii a mystery until they talked.

A pale and scrawny looking guard gave a salute, shaking in nervousness as he put his lasrifle by his side. He looked no older than eighteen, and was definitely new to this, "C-Conscript Jarrackus, 106th Stormborne, sir!"

The next was a tanner woman, also around the other conscripts age. On her back was a shotgun—likely from Agripinaa if Delta's lectures were anything to go by. She had dark black hair, a deep scar across her left eye, and the gaze of a stone-cold killer. She had evidently seen things in her life, despite her age. "Conscript Kazi, sir."

The last guard looked at the other two, then audibly sighed. "Ah for frag's sake, why'd I get shifted on babysitting…" He looked like a proper 106th, including a filtered mask fit for a guardsman. The plumes of feathers tied to his helmet were vibrantly blue and long enough to drape over his neck. He had a rough looking face, almost intimidating, but his expression betrayed any sense of it. He saluted, "Guardsman Antoni, 106th, my Lieutenant told me to be here. I'll uh, try to do my job."

Faust was even more annoyed he got two conscripts, but at this point, he was below caring. He just wanted to find Delta and explore to his heart's content. "You three get in the Taurox, we're leaving soon." Faust turned to the skitarii. "I don't believe I asked any tech-priests to send one of their underlings here, you had better not waste my time."

The skitarii nodded under its purple hoods, with its bottom face being covered up by a metallic mask. They had extremely colorful red eyes, along with short brown hair. "Skitarii Ranger, Ome 12/33-41. I was told to accompany you by TE-61, as his priorities dictated for him to stay there." She said, holding her galvanic rifle in hand.

Faust was mildly pleased he'd at least have someone that might be able to handle repairs. "Ome… hm, alright, I'd rather have one extra pair of hands then none." Faust nodded towards Lucky 12, watching the skitarii jump in.

Faust received the water he asked for from the random guardsman, and was slightly tempted to just snatch the man into joining his little exploration, but decided against it. He could possibly need the transportation space for any survivors he found on the way there.

Once they found Delta, all it would take to go home would be a simple vox communication to get a Valkyrie, or Arvus, and be done with his expedition. The simple notion of finally exploring set his soul alight, as it was one of the main reasons he actually enjoyed being a Rogue Trader.

Faust sipped on the canteen, then climbed into Lucky 12 through the side door, and handed the canteen to Stazia. Faust didn't even see the look on her face, feeling a shift in the back as Brogg crawled through the trunk into the gunner's turret with an annoyed grunt. Faust closed the door hatch as he climbed into the driver's seat, ignoring Otto sleeping in the remote-piloted turret seat.

He grinned under his helmet, turning on Lucky 12's engines.

I had this chapter done already, and Here a People Sows just came out for Arknights, so i said "Fuck it, release it anyways." Enjoy

Anyhow, to the Free-to-play Dokutahs out there like me... boys, we are so cooked. There's too many goddamn events that I want to pull on, and I especially want to get Shu on this one since I have Chongus. My Orundum reserves will be running low after this years done, especially when the R6 event happens and then W'alter. My first free ten pull, i got spooked by Executor... May your luck be grand and pulls be low, Dokutahs...

AN notes, revisited: Came back to update some stuff for future chapter consistency, including grammar checking and whatnot. Renamed the Ogryn Rippergun-turned-pistol into "Gnasher" because there wasn't anything previous for it. Thought it sounded appropriate. Also got Shu—and Zuo Le but he's not important—at 97 pulls... my FTP streak lives on, especially because my Orundum suffered a bit. Just had to be patient on the free pulls; "The patient hunter gets the prey" and all that.