Chapter 11: Catastrophe Inbound
"New data entries from abhuman, name: Katya Kerenov have given us new insights into Originium. It is a vastly multi-functional resource used by this planet's inhabitants. From Prometheum-like sources to building materials, weapons, and experimental analyses. Curiously, other materials are not widely used, seemingly because Originium is their best resource to use, despite the dangers raw versions possess. Samples provided from salvaging sites 7-2-1 have given us appropriate resources to deal with. Site 5 has been designated as a primitive abhuman village, with negotiations already being established towards mutual communication and eventual indoctrination." —Voxlog report from to Rho-Q 22/4.
Atop the tallest spire, efficiently renovated and strengthened after the crash, the bridge of the Clad in Ire had retained its job as a command center. While some of its crew were out of commission—either recovering from injuries or dead-on-impact—many still manned their stations. But the section of this ship had turned into a much more relaxed area, as some sectors of the ship were still down or could never work again, thus, there was less of a workload.
Faust stared out of the glass, standing on the observation deck and observing the brewing clouds as he drank his special brand of Frostborne wine—a Niflheim specialty with a silvery hue as it sloshed in his canteen. Red lightning ominously sparked from the darkened skies, but he watched in curious fascination at such a troubling display of color.
He was currently alone, as he had dismissed Brogg for the day and Goethia was preoccupied with Stazia. There was a small semblance of peace as he silently zoned-out, no thoughts bouncing around his mind at this point.
A clacking of boots across the deck alerted him, as they approached to interrupt his silent watch. He glanced behind himself to see Rulk approaching, hands relaxed at his back, the Navigator's gait slow and calm. He stood next to Faust after another moment.
They said nothing, enjoying the shared silence between them as they watched the clouds brewing angrily—much smaller than any warp storm the two had faced, and thus, something to unwind over.
Faust chuckled, offering his wine to Rulk.
"You do realize I have never—and shall never—accept such favors?" Rulk answered, his House's trinkets of eye-like iconography clinking as he moved—dangling loosely from his robe.
Faust shrugged, "If you insist," and took another swig.
Another pause of silence overcame their conversation, with Rulk breaking it in a sigh, "...Rell has fallen into a deep slumber that not even I can psychically pierce. She will not wake, but death will not take her, I know it. All I can do is speak to her, but I fear that will not suffice..."
Faust silently nodded, narrowing his eyes in regret, "My… sincere condolences. She has done me a great many deeds, and it will not go unnoticed. Much as the blame falls on the Vinrexus', its shadow of responsibility also falls on mine. Her wounds were caused by my decision, no matter which way you, I, or anyone else may see it. I shall do what I can, Rulk. You have my word on that."
"Ugh, spare me those formal pleasantries; our ties go beyond mere words, Lord-Captain. Surely, by this point, you must understand such a trivial pursuit. Our house's history and dealings have made that so, even as you speak of repayment currently. I had not come for your apology, Lord-Captain, but I appreciate it nonetheless."
"...And what did you come for, my friend?"
"Vengeance," Rulk answered, stepping forward closer to the glass. His palm reached out to the sky above. "They have harmed my sister. They have made a grave mistake, the worst they shall ever hope to make." Rulk's fist closed, before he turned to fully face Faust, "Take me with you on your journeys, for I can stay no longer upon this vessel. Home as it may be, and comfort I have come to know it for, it is time I venture forth into the unknown once more."
Faust scoffed, amused, "I thought you never wanted to go on one of my explorations again. If I remember it correctly, you said it was 'tantamount to suicide each waking minute.'"
Rulk waved a hand, shaking his head, "That was because Yrigon IV was suicide. I despise that verdant world, even now, but that is besides the point. If I am to take revenge against Vinrexus' wrongdoings, I must not let my skills decay, lest I see you vanquish their household by your lonesome. Thus, you may 'count me in,' as the menials say."
"This will be more than just unknown. If what you've told me weeks ago is true, then we may not be in the Imperium or anywhere close to it any longer. What we may face could be as dangerous as the warp itself."
"I and Ymmîr theorized that as well, but I have led us through the treachery of the fickle void before. The unknown is my calling, and I always answer it each time, for both our sakes. What is this but a single step outside what we already know? Daemon, mutant, xenos, or man, I will fight it with you."
Faust grinned, raising his flask, "To righteous fury that our enemies may face," and deeply sipped.
"On that, I agree."
They watched as the clouds started getting closer, but an… unease washed over the both of them. Faust felt it from an instinct he had learned throughout his years as a Rogue Trader, while Rulk shifted, likely feeling a change in the warp currents.
"Hmm," Rulk grumbled, gauntlets falling to his side. It seemed he wanted to say something, but was waiting for Faust to ask it first.
"О черт!" someone yelled, rushing towards Faust before he could do it.
Faust turned to face Katya, who was now clothed in actual garments befitting of his crew. They were an odd mixture of the 106th uniform, wearing a custom fit version of their flak armor—including little holes for her ears or her Oripathy lesions. Furthermore, she was given some dress clothes fit for a negotiator, and was more regally dressed in a suit. Rather than choosing one, she had chosen both, fitting the armor over the suit.
"Katya? I don't believe I–"
"I should've skipped lunch," she spoke hurriedly, shutting him up with a tug towards the viewing glass, the Elucidator now audible. "Do you have any capable way of defending this place?"
Faust looked at Rulk worriedly, before looking back at her, "For what? A storm won't damage our adamantium hull."
"That is no normal storm–it's a Catastrophe!" Katya shouted, breaking the relaxed atmosphere. The menials had glanced upwards at the commotion, wondering what their Lord-Captain would do about this supposed threat.
"...I don't understand."
"Is she one of yours, Faust? She sounds crazed," Rulk said, his helm sneering at her.
"Don't mock me!" Katya snarled, before pointing at the thundering clouds approaching. "That right there, that's bad. Really, really, bad. You know how you came across Originium in your travels, right?"
Faust cocked his head, "...You're not saying–"
"Catastrophes create Originium! That's why most of our cities are nomadic! It doesn't matter what this place is made of, Originium won't care when it clings to its sides!"
Faust glanced back at the sky as it finally clicked at why he seemed like he was missing something. Completely ignoring the other information she had shouted, his mind briefly struggled for a solution, as this had become a situation his ship needed to deal with. He stomped towards an outward cropping of the deck that faced the menials below.
"What's the status of our void shields!"
Cirdoza looked up from her station, a new mechanical hand tapping at the cogitator, "They still require additional repairs, Lord-Captain! Our enginseers have only recently started on it and without the second generator, we won't be able to have it fully functional."
"Are you telling me we still haven't reclaimed that sector of my ship yet!" Faust slammed on the bracing, causing Cirdoza to wilt in her stance. He let out a heavy sigh, "Send my entourage a request to meet me there, as well as a few enginseers and my Fist's to capture it. I trust that since it has been difficult to do so, the lower-deck menials shall understand what it means to go against me."
"Right away, Lord-Captain!"
Faust pointed at another menial, "Frin, what would be the time of impact?"
Frin boredly typed at her station, looking up with a sunken gaze, "Two hours."
Faust's eye twitched in exasperation, knowing it'd take at least an hour to get there in the first place. "Thank you. Send a warning to all our fliers to land their craft; I don't want them caught up in what's about to fall. And get Goethia in here to take over."
"Understood, I'll get right on that, Sir."
Faust wheeled to face Rulk, "Seems you'll get the chance to get back in the fight, old friend."
"Good, it has been some time since we've gone on a hunt, eh?"
"These aren't heretics, Rulk," Faust chastised with a grin. "But make sure you point your eye at them and not us, yes?"
"W-What about me?" Katya asked, glancing between them.
Faust crossed his arms, "What about you? I remember your condition on not wishing to be on the frontline as a condition for your service?"
"Yeah, but… It'd be pretty shitty of me to just stand around and do nothing. Plus, I've got no idea what a void shield does or looks like, so…"
"This one wishes to find out truths for herself, does she?" Rulk said, ominously leering at her. "How brave."
"Shut it, bucket-head."
"I like her already."
Faust huffed, "We're wasting much needed time! Let's just get this done with."
Gathered around void shield generator 2's main room—of the main generator block situated in the upper innards of the ship—were the reclamation crew of the Clad in Ire. Faust was, of course, the leader of this group.
Despite what the team had expected, the gigantic room with easily defendable positions of crates and metal outlines was conveniently laid empty. It was uneasy to settle down, having taken some time to make sure this place was not rigged to explode. Still, no trickery was afoot on this section of the ship, which only fueled their paranoia.
A multitude of enginseers and servitors, led by Rho-Q and Delta, were swarming around the gigantic mechanical device responsible for protecting the Clad in Ire from space debris, battles in the depths of the void, or incoming fire from planetary defenses. On this particular occasion, it was going to be employed as a defense mechanism against this so-called "Catastrophe." Each cog of the machine god was working frantically to get these systems online, Delta the most as she switched positions every other minute, directing them to only do their jobs. She may not be a true expert on that study of technology, but her presence was enough for moral support to take over expertise. On guard for these workers were Skitarii of all sorts, mainly a ragtag group gathered among those who stayed from recovery missions.
At Faust's side was Brogg, who was currently glaring at the shadows, Gnasher in hand and ready to shoot at anything that so much as moved out of place. Otto had taken a higher position, lurking in the shadows with a group of Faust's Fists who were appropriately equipped for long-range combat. Rulk was standing perfectly still, with a weird staff held in his hands.
Katya, meanwhile, had her eyes glued to the giant machine along with the room. She had never seen such a sight before in her life. Landships typically had an Originium reactor of similar size, but she had only heard rumors from her village. And besides that, they starkly weren't as epic or grand scale.
The hall containing this machine was massive to accommodate its size, the generator's spire reaching up and into the ceiling far above. Arches upon arches sprouted from its center like roots from a tree, while the spire maintained its massive cylindrical form. A dim bluish-green light illuminated its center, with electrical sparks zapping the air. The base of it was as large as a circular manor, yet maintained an odd regality through its ornaments. And this was simply one of the things she had seen aboard.
A lot of the sights on the ship were awe-inspiring, like the many churches aboard she had unknowingly stumbled across while she ventured with someone—usually Stazia. Everything, literally everything here, felt like looking at photos of Laterano religious symbols or, in general, Laterano. Yet, it distinctly had its own depths and intricacies that she wasn't even sure the Sankta would or could ever think to create.
There was a holy piety surrounding the air and structures of the city… ship. Katya had to remind herself this was a spaceship, since each time, it felt like she was just in the guts of a Lateran complex—not that she would know. Candles typically lit up the halls just as much as the artificial lights, and finely crafted arches or structures felt passionately gothic. People fervently prayed in a few small areas, often mentioning someone called the God-Emperor, a figure she was uncertain about forming an opinion on. Her current feelings towards the Emperor of Ursus were far from happy; She hoped Faust would hold the same sentiment.
It was also grim—almost unnecessarily so. Katya cautiously moved around a Servitor, who had pipes flowing from his gaping jaw, and an enormous claw for a limb to help lift heavy loads of materials. The first time she saw one of these… things left another scar on her memory that she didn't think any distraction would cover up.
"Cold… so cold…" the Servitor grumbled hollowly, its expression blank and eyes bearing no forms of actual sentience. It trudged forward with one goal in mind, carrying a blue power cell for its masters. There was no one left in that shell of flesh, only machinery.
Delta had reassured her they were simply cloned flesh—which she felt was monumental technology revealed so casually—but it still unnerved Katya's heart. Octavia also creeped her out, since it was still a floating skull as the basis of a robot, but less so since the little robot had a personality.
It was especially disconcerting after learning how Faust was part of a supposed space empire, owning only a tiny sector of an entire galaxy, and heard horror stories she hoped were exaggerations. Compared to the legends of the Feranmuts, these seemed at a grand scale she couldn't fathom. They also had stories of grandeur and legends that surely couldn't be possible, like their God-Emperor on Holy Terra. It was weirdly coincidental they had a world also called Terra, but the Imperials seemed to regard it as a place like no other.
It made her feel small.
Yet, these factors combined in such a distinct way that she couldn't help but be enamored living in its presence. It was more than just calling it alien; it was just another human culture. Though, for some inexplicable reason, this culture existed, along with its otherworldly, xenophobic, and occasionally sadistic traits.
From what she learned from Faust, it seemed he knew there was a divide between blindly following this doctrine and doing what was for the good of humanity. Katya wagered Faust didn't particularly like the dogmatism of the Imperium, as he followed his own set of rules he set up on the Clad in Ire. Especially because he mentioned things that wouldn't be allowed in the Imperium—which were clearly present onboard—without a second thought. However, he reinforced that the Imperium's policies were needed at rare times, without exactly going into details.
Ironically, Katya blindly placed her faith in Faust's words. How could she not? What she currently had was leagues better than her previous life as a prisoner. Despite Delta's irritating habit of constantly prodding her and interrogating her for additional information, she was being treated for her Oripathy. Unfortunately, it was experimental and sometimes painful, but she felt slightly better than she was before—much healthier, too.
Katya's skin was much more flushed, her smoky hair growing into a long, shaggy mane, and her bones no longer threatening to be easily seen. Her Oripathy wasn't progressing, yet it wasn't decreasing either. She was stable, for now, as whatever medicinal wonders the Imperium had were effective.
"This one is 'churning her gears' on things, is she?" Rulk asked her, shattering her pensive thoughts.
"...what do you want?"
"Other than idle conversation, nothing more."
Katya rolled her eyes, leaning on a crate. "I kinda' doubt that."
Rulk scoffed, "Truly? You would learn more from having an open mind."
"I'm not listening to someone who's too afraid to show his face."
Rather than a rebuttal, a soft sigh escaped mechanically, "It is for thy safety, and mine own. I am quite a terrible sight to perceive, and worse still, to live around. Unlike my sister, I am especially sensitive to the surrounding air, and worse, I am frail without my armor. My… specialty is not one for those in my presence without proper safety. What you are seeing is likely all that you shall ever hope to see."
Katya promptly shut her mouth, lowering her gaze from the guilt pricking at her heart, "I… didn't know."
"Do not sulk for my fate, as the wise should acknowledge my words are but a light tease on life's little miseries. I was fortunate enough for my sister to share her kindness with me and grateful for Faust allowing my services despite my shortcomings. In such failings, I have strived for greater heights, and achieved my place next to my Lord-Captain's side. My worth has already been proven, but I simply wish to know of yours."
"My… worth?"
"Precisely. Talk, so that I may listen. It shall help me search the currents."
"The c-currents?"
"Yes."
Katya wasn't sure what to make of his short, cryptic reply, and continued with her own, "I… I don't know what to say."
"What of your opinion on your newfound weapons?"
Katya glanced at the chainsword at her hip, currently in its protective sheath. The practicality of the weapon was certainly interesting to think about. She dismissed that prospect easily at how badass it looked, and likely at how effective it had to be…
Other than being given a chainsaw-sword collecting dust from one of Faust's armories, she was given a second weapon. From its appearance, it was evident that the rectangular piece of technology was created for mass production.
Her laspistol was sleek, blocky, and far too lightweight for her; it astonishingly didn't require arts—only ammo. The gun was also groundbreaking technology that was so easily dismissed; it caused confusion for Delta when Katya asked for more even though Terrans had guns. The Ursus wisely backed off, keeping the suspecting "tech-priest" from finding out more. Just how advanced were these people?
"I need more training with them, especially the laspistol, but I think I can handle the… chainsword? That's the name, right?"
"Precisely."
"Yeah, I think I can use it. My father used to be a soldier, before he uh… well, anyway, he taught me how to use a sword. 'Least to the best of my abilities, I can handle it. I just hope I don't have to use it…"
"Wise man, to teach his daughter to defend himself. One must always be prepared to fight to the death, lest you become overwhelmed by a superior foe or their cunning."
"Rulk?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you talking to me? I don't want to be rude, but… you kind of seem to be in a much higher position than me. I'm just Faust's guide, and even then, I can't even speak your language." Katya said, waving the elucidator in her hand, which spoke her sentences back as it was shaken. She placed it inside her inner coat pocket again, letting it hang.
Rulk shook his head, "You've been added to the Lord-Captains arsenal, and so, I may make use of you the same way Faust would have of me—or should you require my services, I might give them to you. For a price."
Katya glared at him suspiciously, "...Like what?"
"Favors," Rulk replied, tracing a finger around the eye of his staff, "Depending on the worth of my service to a particular circumstance, shall entail the depth of what I ask in return. A sound deal, is it not?"
"I feel like I should be worried about talking to you."
Rulk barked out a laugh. "You should!"
"I'm going to regret this… but fine."
"You will rarely regret taking them, unlike my Lord-Captain's favors."
Katya turned, leaning on a box of crates as she looked around the area more. "Is there a reason you're telling me that, or are you just fucking with me?"
"...I assure you, I am not 'fucking' with you," Rulk said, the elucidator translating his words after a long pause. "Faust is eccentric in everything he does, and I do mean everything. Be prepared for ridiculousness unbefitting of a man in such a position of power. The only reward you may find from such interactions is your sanity strengthening in response. Although they are rare, it is best to seek the dutiful Slab out whenever such a situation arises. The xenarite will be of no use when seeking cooler minds when she will join in the absurdity."
"The Slab?" Katya asked, barely remembering the other title meant Delta.
Rulk pointed his staff towards Brogg, who had just scratched his butt.
"You can't be serious. I mean, don't get me wrong, he's a good guy, but…"
"His intelligence is of no concern, heed these words. He has surprised us on a multitude of occasions with a surprise bout of slight mental prowess, even if the next action he takes requires none of it." Rulk coughed a snicker, waving his hand, "But I digress, our Slab's words have some higher sway on our Lord-Captain, the same as Goethia's or Delta-seven-one's. He is Faust's mainstay bodyguard for a reason other than his muscles."
Katya blinked, remembering some of her treatment while she was here. "Actually, that reminds me. From what I've experienced aboard in this short week, especially from those stick-up-their-ass officers, some people here tend to not like me. Not even because I'm slightly dangerous, just because I've got these." Katya asked, twitching her ears on command. "Why don't they do the same to the other Ogryns?"
"Careful girl…" Rulk chastised. "You may be in Faust's protection, but Commissars have other means of slighting you should they overhear such words. Once more, I must refer you back to the meaning of worth. You are new; an undiscovered species of abhuman, even by the Imperium's standards. Many are cautious to even take the chance to think otherwise, more still on differentiating whether you are a mutant or abhuman. They would be correct in their mindsets. You ask many questions about what some men have encountered, and many times, they are true."
Katya shuddered slightly, as Rulk terrifyingly loomed over her again. "What they, and I have seen, is only on the surface of what lurks in the depths of the universe." Rulk relaxed after letting the words sink in, backing off. "However, I have learned to look past such murk, as Faust has reminded me time and time again. He does not ignore my protests on such subject matters, as he understands more than any of the risks he takes with each action, but he tries to reach the truth when he knows it will not bring harm. And if it does, he makes sure it will not exist within his periphery."
Rulk paused, snapping his head to face her, "...I believe I have gone off on a tangent, my apologies. To answer your question, Ogryns have been in the Imperium's services for more than a myriad, and have served dutifully with little need to think otherwise. Exceptionally loyal, take orders easily, and are faithful to the God-Emperor—all beneficial attributes. They are of simple-mind, and that is something the Imperium enjoys the most. That, and they would fight for your life, rather than theirs, making them near-perfect soldiers had their lack of intellect not come into play."
Rulk pointed at her with a gauntleted finger, "Compared to you, someone who has only joined Faust's services recently, and with minimal investigation on your species, I can only imagine why some find you disdainful."
"Ah…"
"Now, you understand." Rulk's head snapped to the side before cupping his helmet. "...That is not good." Rulk slammed his staff on the ground, gathering the attention of everyone.
"We shall find our enemies on all sides! Prepare thyself, for they bring armor!"
Faust put on his helmet, already holding his sword out by his side as he approached Rulk. "What type of armor, Rulk?"
A mechanical roar announced itself, shaking Katya to her core from the noise. It sounded massive from beyond the main doors, slamming against the main doors.
"I swear to the God-Emperor on Holy Terra if that's what I think it is…" Faust grumbled, immediately taking cover next to Katya and Rulk. "Find cover now! Stay low, and don't be seen until I say so!" Faust shouted, making sure everyone got into position.
After being slammed a few more times, the doors finally gave way as the metal beast slowly crawled through. Katya poked her head out to peek at the vehicle, reminding her first of a miniature landship as the tracks pulled it forwards. It had a turret with a flamethrower atop its boxy chassis, along with a big looking gun in the frontal port. Someone had also placed a giant wide blade on its front, like taking it from a construction vehicle and slapping it on.
"So they can get a Chimera, but I can't?" Faust said exasperatedly. "I'm going to…" Faust trailed off, growling his words away as his fist tightened, shaking in pure annoyance. His head bobbed, seemingly speaking without words actually coming out. Katya wasn't sure what he was doing, but maybe it was also his anger?
Soon, more men poured out from the busted down doors, taking positions across the area. They wore mismatched armor, but Katya could make out that under it was what Guardsmen wore. They had an array of weapons, though most of them seemed to just be standard guns.
"Blackspike gangers," Rulk told her harshly. "They are the best example of imbeciles within our venerable voidship, but their use as cannon fodder for boarding threats is excellent. Seems we'll be butchering them this time."
The tank crackled, the radio speaker broadcasting itself in the large room, "Alright you fuckheads, you think you can come into our territory, take what's rightfully ours, and get away with it? I think not. This is my claim to the ship, and NO one is taking it from me!"
Katya looked at her Elucidator, a little shocked it could still translate despite how garbled the voice sounded.
"Oh, that's it!" Faust snarled, getting out of his cover. His cloak floated as he stomped towards the center, Brogg following swiftly with his shield up.
"Well, well, look at this brave little fellow," the tank sneered, turret pointing directly at the duo. "Do you really think tha' Ogryn of yours is gonna protect you?"
"How dare you claim any part of my ship to be yours, you moronic, scum-sucking, lower-deck parasite! I am Faust van Decimbrus, Firstborn to the van Decimbrus line, Explorer of the Astral Void, Lord-Captain of the Clad in Ire, Daemonslayer, Man of—"
Faust was cut off as the flamethrower's hiss engulfed him in flames; Brogg, shockingly, shielded himself against the heat rather than Faust, causing Katya's eye to bulge out. There goes her employer, who had stupidly stood still. What the hell was she going to do now?
Rulk facepalmed, "And now, you see exactly what I speak of. Someday he's going to get himself killed doing that."
"Killed?!" Katya screamed in worry, as if this was a daily occurrence, "He's being burnt alive!"
"Look. Again."
Katya didn't want to look, fearing Faust would be little more than a pile of ash, but she dared to peek once. Through squinted eyes caused by the bright flames, Katya could hardly believe what she was seeing. His cloak burned into ash, but the shadow of his figure stood completely still, barely visible in the inferno.
The Chimera stopped spewing flames, but rather than the intended result of burning the Rogue Trader alive, the flames revealed him to be completely unharmed—and irrevocably pissed. Many of these gangers had stopped laughing to themselves at the site, their expressions mirroring a sense of creeping dread.
"Do you… even have… any… idea how rude that was?" Faust sneered coldly, dusting the ash off of his shoulders. His armor still had smoke flowing off of him as he scrutinized each one of them. "Any one of you? No? That cloak cost me several hundred thousand crowns, more than what you scum would ever hope to see in a solar cycle. And you have just burned it in an attempt to kill me."
The stunned silence was deafening, as not even the tank crew knew what to respond with. The gangers were looking at each other, not sure whether they should shoot or run from the incoming fury.
"Fine, if words cannot reach your dense skulls, perhaps this will." Faust snapped his fingers as the tank's frontal turret exploded as a giant blue ball impacted it from above. Katya peered upwards, seeing multiple gun turrets announce themselves, shuttering as they were brought into view.
"Well, not that I cared much about it—I was merely buying time. But to think that you gangers would be the first to defy me is laughable," Faust barked, as the gangsters were attacked in full force, surprising many of them as the true owner's forces sprang to action. The Fists or Skitarii began picking them off with horrifying efficiency, each death echoing the next in brutality. One of their heads exploded into a fine mist as a laser round pierced through, another's torso falling inward from an explosive bullet.
It was at this point Katya realized just how dangerous her employer was, as they dispatched similarly armed men in a matter of seconds.
All of it was carefully planned. It had to have been! The sniper nests, mostly hidden from view. Each turret hanging in the ceiling, conveniently having a unique weapon. Scattered cover arranged naturally in its place, superior hiding spots for each of Faust's soldiers. Even the way the Lord-Captain had just walked up to meet them, so casually and dramatically, to be the center of attention. There was no way he was just winging this!
Faust held out his hand towards Brogg as the flamer's turret exploded from a blast of focused electricity—billowing flames upward as it tried to retreat backwards—silently asking for one thing.
Brogg handed Faust a round tube with a large handle on its top. Katya watched in slow motion as Faust charged with a roar, twisting the handle and pulling it. A ganger tried to stop him in melee combat, only to be tossed away by Brogg's grab. Another tried to shoot Faust in a panic, before toppling without a head from a sniper round.
Faust took one heavy step forward before throwing the device right at the tank. It clung onto the metal like a magnet, before exploding after a few seconds with the heat and brightness of a star. It melted the tank's front completely, causing it to pause in its retreat, before it exploded into shrapnel as another ball of blue light hit its exposed innards.
Katya got up from her cover, dashing towards Faust as he jumped into cover. She wasn't going to just do nothing when he had just taken out that mini landship. Honestly, she really didn't want to get stuck in the middle of the danger, but… Faust was out there, fighting them head on. Where were the Ursus nobles, leaving their men to fight their petty wars while they feasted inside their elaborate manors? What about when the many people around her starved, her mother a victim to their malignant greed? Where was the loyalty that her father had pledged to, when she was finally the only one left, inheriting what meager funds she could to keep the bakery running?
Faust's sense of greed was apparent, but in a different sort of manner. He made it clear his wish to laze on valuable baubles was slain and indulgence on decadence forgotten. Maybe… maybe Faust was the type of noble his father had wished to serve.
Katya weaved through the battlefield as she jumped over her steel box of cover, keeping her head low from the vibrant spray of weapons. It was like navigating through a deadly rainbow, as each shot was a different color. She could feel her chainsword's eager hum as it was turned on, unsheathed, each tooth moving in and out of the blade. One of the braver gangers tried to meet her with an axe, who underestimated the force of her swing. Katya cleaved through him in an instant with a snarl—both from her and her weapon—briefly awed at both the efficiency of her weapon when he groaned, split in two from the stomach. She continued her mad dash, wincing as she took a bullet round to her arm. She ground her teeth from the pain, but pushed past, using her adrenaline to get to another section of cover.
"Running bravely towards the Lord-Captain, are we now?"
Katya revved her sword in surprise, only to see Rulk standing beside her.
"When did you–"
"I was right behind you," Rulk said, tapping his staff on the ground with a huff. "I very well can't allow you to harm yourself without my supervision, now can we?"
"I thought you said you were frail, bucket-head?"
"Am I out of my suit, beastie?"
"Drop your fucking weapons and we won't cut your brains out!" A ganger shouted in a panic, pointing a lasgun at them. The woman was accompanied by a few others holding their blades out.
"...One moment," Rulk whispered, wheeling around to face them completely.
"I said drop… your…" The ganger trailed off, as a swirling purple glow emitted from Rulk's helmet. The gangers staggered, before yelling incoherently as blood leaked from every orifice, falling to the floor to writhe in agonized screaming.
The light quickly disappeared before Rulk turned, acting as if nothing had just happened. "Where were we?"
"W-What the actual hell was that!"
"My specialty. Deny your doubts in me, it shall not be pointed in your direction—should you be careful to not perceive its gaze, of course."
"W-Who are you really?" Katya asked, wincing as she saw these gangers perish with pained gasps, clutching their faces with wide-eyed horror. She didn't want to say "what are you," as she felt saying that to a guy who just turned people's minds to mush was a bad idea.
The man, shielded in a suit for her protection, stared deeply, chilling her to the very bone through his black lenses. She could hear the grin as he spoke. "I am a Navigator of House Skaldwick, dear girl. One would do well to remember that name."
Oh great. Another noble. Who can kill people with a singular look this time? Just what insane life did Katya get herself into where nobles fought leading their troops or who commanded vast amounts of power that they made the Ursus Empire's nobility look like wimps?
"Come now, you mustn't let thy mind wander in the midst of battle," Skaldwick called out, ducking as a round flew overhead. "Faust leads by example, and we must follow his course of action. Don't dally now."
Katya watched as Rulk moved smoothly throughout the battlefield, using his staff to brutally smash the few remaining gangers that fought for their lives when they challenged him.
She trailed behind the Navigator, following him directly to where Faust and Brogg currently were. The Rogue Trader and his Ogryn were in the thick of it, slicing and crushing any challengers that dumbly went against him.
Katya ducked under a hammer swing, her sword roaring as it slashed into a ganger. It cleaved through him in one swift motion, spraying liquid crimson everywhere. She blocked an incoming blow as it almost hit her, kicking the target and sending him flying backwards. Katya wasn't really expecting to fling someone effortlessly, expecting much more resistance. Was this different race of humanity physically weaker than most Terrans? Surely, that couldn't be the case, or was their advanced technology their strongest method of jumping the physical gap?
Katya raised her blade to block a blow, only for the ganger's chest to be pierced by someone's sword, and kicked aside.
Impact was in ten minutes, and Delta was working with all she could. He couldn't fail her now. Faust finished piercing his sword through the back of another lunatic, nudging him off the blade with his foot. Faust only noticed Katya afterward, having been preoccupied with talking to Delta on the vox.
It would only be a short while till the void-shields were up, and he wasn't sure if they had that amount of time. Well, he would deal with the aftermath if they couldn't, but for right now, he needed to focus.
"Ah Katya, I expected you to be in a more protected area," Faust said, flicking the blood off his sword. "What are you doing over here?"
"Making sure you don't get yourself fragging killed!" Katya growled. "Why'd you just let yourself get burned when you could have done that from behind cover?"
Faust frowned as he thought about it. "I was announcing myself to these… parasites who thought they could rule over my ship. Besides, my armor is exceedingly proficient in handling such extreme temperatures. It was why I made it a rule for Brogg to protect himself should flames be the focus of my potential demise—at least, if they are made by natural means."
"Well, what if they hadn't used them? They still had the frontal gun!"
"That is what Brogg is for."
They both looked at Brogg, who bellowed a guttural laugh as he grabbed a victim, held him up above him, then split him in half through the torso as he pulled on each side. He looked back, giving a thumbs up.
"As you were, Brogg, keep up the fine work."
"...I honestly kind of regret being your guide.."
Faust chuckled, casually shooting one of these rebel menials who tried to sneak up on Katya. "That's what Rulk says, but I believe you'll get used to it."
"Indeed," Rulk said, stepping into their group as he brought his staff to block an attack, "and I still am not comfortable with it."
"How do you deal with this insanity?" Katya yelled, slicing off an arm, before driving her blade down a skull. She winced from the kill, clearly not enjoying having done such a thing.
That took Faust back, remembering the first time he had killed someone. He was pretty young back then, still decently handsome too, and had sliced into a vagrant in the sewers with his fencing sword—mostly because they tried to mug him. It was through decapitation, and it was too messy for him to forget. Ah… they learn so fast.
"You learn it's necessary to do these things. Many would kill you for simpler reasons, and so you must make an example out of such idiots. I'll have whatever of these mongrels we capture turned into servitors to maintain this area as punishment."
Katya turned, eyes widened. "I-I thought servitors were made of cloned flesh."
"Oh, they are, but that doesn't mean criminals aren't turned into them." Faust frowned at her apparent worry. "…I see fear in your eyes. You must be wondering about the details, but fret not, these are criminals who seek to kill us, not steal."
"That still doesn't reassure me, Faust!"
Faust shrugged, finding peace as they moved towards cover. Most of these rebellious fodder were already retreating or dead, and thus, he could afford it. "To be quite honest, I understand the minds of any criminal. Do not assume I simply see all of them deserving of such a cruel fate. Some crimes weigh less than others on the scale, but criminals must be put to use if they are caught doing such a trivial act. Whether that is forced labor or true—and paid—service under my household is up to them."
"That's… I'm going to be brutally honest here, Faust…" Katya hesitated, almost asking for permission to speak.
"Go ahead," Faust said with a wave, peeking out to shoot three more retreating gangers.
"Your scary sometimes, so remind me to not get on your bad side."
Faust nodded. "It's not intended—my circumstances have created that vision you see. And… you are not alone in that. If you were to be in my position, tougher decisions than regarding the fate of many would be made. I would know, as I have made them countless times. You are in safe hands, Katya, but I have a reputation to uphold. It is for that very reason that these rebels have tried to kill me, as they think I have grown softer. I have not. I am who I always will be."
Faust looked out of cover again as the battlefield finally died down, all Blackspike gangers having been defeated. "It seems we are done for today," Faust said, swiftly moving towards the center of the room.
His vox system sputtered inside his helmet, coming to life.
"Faust, void shields are now functional, and ready to be engaged for a short time frame." Delta spoke, "The damage it has sustained will not allow for a permanent shield, but we've successfully rerouted its primary systems to be functional for the time being. We shall employ further repairs, but we're engaging its shield array in ten seconds with the other generator."
Faust waited as the void shield generator started to hum deafeningly, before groaning as it awoke from its slumber. The large, central gears on the spire churned, while electrical power built up, before striking into the ceiling. Its aquamarine lights lit up in power, the void shields now ready to engage the Originium from the sky.
Faust looked at his internal clock. Impact was in mere minutes. He counted it down as he connected to the bridge's main comms, "Goethia, are you there?"
"That I am, Sir," Goethia responded through the vox.
"How's it looking up there?"
"Like that perpetual tempest on the pole of Niflheim. Only, it's very intent on crashing into our ship." There was shuffling heard in the comms, before Goethia responded again, "I see the void shields are up, I take it Delta was successful?"
"We'll have some future difficulties, but yes, it's functional."
"Good show, Lord-Captain. Most of our aircraft have been gathered in hangar bay three or have already been sent away. Though I fear we may have to recover our F.O.B Indominus on the outskirts."
"I know, just tell me when it'll hit, Goethia"
There was a tense silence for the last minute, but even as the timer hit zero, Faust didn't hear the ship groan from any impacts.
"Void shields are still standing, Sir, and are completely effective against it! This 'Catastrophe' isn't able to pierce through!"
Faust let out a sigh of relief, physically drained from the stress. He looked around, gathering his compatriots for celebration."My compatriots. We've beaten the storm!" Faust shouted with his sword raised up high, earning cheers from all around, either being polite automated clapping from the admech, or actual shouts of joy from his Fists. Katya also seemed to physically relax, while Brogg grabbed Rulk, shaking the poor Navigator in joy.
A minor victory was a good enough victory for Faust. There was no need to think harder on it.
AN: Space Marine 2 kicks ass. That is all.