Author Notes:
I have had fun writing this new GSS chapter. Yet, I am even more happy when I am greeted with a message that Captain Mdag101, the bloody Chad, paid the Tithe for an entire year! Goodness gracious and by the Emperor, that's some much needed money to cover not just our monthly electricity bill but also the practical cost of food and supplies procurement for this little family of mine.
Captain Mdag101, enjoy the good stuff, you more than earned it, sir!
Now then, it's time for the obligatory Monthly Recruitment Drive is up announcement... Which is none other than: Monthly Recruitment Drive is up! Go grab it while it's hot!
Back to your scheduled GSS chapter, kek.
https://www.patr-eon.com/Heartbreak117
https://ko-fi.com/heartbreak117/goal?g=0
Income goal 790/880 USD (UmU)
P.S: Apologies for the weird formatting on the Webnovel page, couldn't do much about that. Other than that, can you see all the Easter Eggs?
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As 3rd Platoon walks past droves of fresh JTF reinforcements, we're greeted with the due respect we earned from our dangerous stint as first arrivals upon Installation 08. Members of the Cadian 8th salute us with pride, some saying "The Emperor protects!" or "Cadians never yield!". Others, higher-tier units from the Kasrkin or Lucifer Blacks regard us with gazes of approval. Whereas the few nearby Astartes from the Salamander Chapter bang on their breastplates.
We accept and return these gestures with smiles, nods, and salutations of our own. It would seem we've been the talk of the entire Joint Task Force, having been one of the few units to hold our ground with minimal losses. At least, that's what I've gathered from the chatters around us, and when I whisper this to Johnson, the man just smirks before patting my shoulder a few times. Obviously, the man takes to the fame as if it's just another breeze on the battlefield. Others may bask in it, but as a true Cadian, the Sergeant doesn't put much weight in it when there are things to be done still. Things like signing up for the upcoming assault on the identified anti-orbital control centers, for instance.
When we reach the staging area for the next round of attacks to take back Installation 08, the ongoing briefing there stalls as the people there look at us in surprise.
"Froggers?" Our Company Captain utters. "You all are supposed to be on R&R. You're two men short of a full Platoon, and you have just been put through the wringer."
Sergeant Johnson steps before turning back to look at us behind. "With all due respect, Captain Rogers, we ain't out of the fight just yet. Let us do our part."
Before the Captain of our 1st Company can say anything more, Colonel Mustahim interjects. "If they're confident that they can stick to their guns, then let them, Captain. Your 3rd Platoon will solve one of the problems we have anyway."
The bald-headed Colonel then gazes at us, his expression stern. "You all are confident, right?"
Instead of replying, we all stand at attention as a singular unit, prim and proper with no sense of disorder. The Colonel nods before gesturing his head for us to join the lines assembled and mixed troops. Although I've expected that it would be the case, to see all components of the JTF formed up for this particular briefing is a reassuring yet contradictory worrying thought. After all, to have not just the Cadian 8th and Tempestus Scions but also the Sisters of Battle and Astartes, all participating as one formal strike unit to attack an objective, means that the objective is a dangerous and most valuable one.
Nodding to the familiar faces next to us, 3rd Platoon listens to the resume briefing.
"The target can't be any clearer." Colonel Mustahim highlights the holographic projection of a massive building slightly deeper behind enemy lines. "This massive reinforced structure right here has been identified as the enemy's headquarters, at least for their above-ground operation. It's protected by thick armor, making it nearly impervious to conventional strike packages, and the dense AA net around it intercepted anything larger we'd thrown at it. We would have risked cascading damage on the Installation itself by calling down an orbital bombardment, if not for the presence of a heavy array of anti-orbital emplacements next to it."
The Colonel then highlights a set of large towers next to the heretics' HQ, with each sporting multiple massive caliber anti-voidship weaponry. "This is but one set of those nasty anti-orbital; there are more nearby, and analysis suggests that the enemy HQ holds the Auspex array needed for targeting these guns and missiles precisely. These guns will tear up any frigate above them, and bring more or anything larger risk, either exacerbating the problem or being too much of an overkill, which will end up sinking the entire installation. So, a ground assault will be the name of the game here. Over to you, Chapter Master."
Chapter Master Tu'shan steps forward, his towering frame is made ever more apparent when the nearby Astartes have to look up to him as well.
"The mission begins right when the overall offensive has started. Instead of supporting the attack of the main JTF, we, as a separate strike group, will strike out at this enemy HQ. It will be an armored run, ignoring all enemies we come across until we reach our objective. Air support can only cover the initial phase of this dash before they have to be called off due to the presence of hidden AA sites. It doesn't have to be said that momentum is our ally, and the less time we spend on the midway point, the less risk and loss we will incur. Leading the way will be our Task Force's heavy armor contingent, Land Raiders and Freya Russes, followed by the transport unit, which consists of Rhinos and Chimeras..."
As Chapter Master Tu'shan and even Mama join in to conduct the briefing, I listen seriously, but a part of my brain is set to communicate with my System. Recent events have made it clear that it's time for me to splurge a bit.
So...
[Nicolae the Shoggoth - Chatroom Moderator:
Overworked. Enjoying a lazy night.
Status: Don't PM me unless someone breaks the Laws again, or if you have cookies. Cookies are nice.]
[Do you want to send this gift to Nicolae the Shoggoth?
2x Cosmic Cookies.]
[Yes/No]
[Is this an anonymous gift?]
[Yes/No]
[Sending gift... Done.]
[Nicolae the Shoggoth has received the gift...
Nicolae is watching her favorite prophet, Ninomae Ina'nis, deliver random sanity checks on humanity as an ordinary girl.
A pair of Cosmic Cookies is dropped next to Nicolae, who's lying on her belly while lazily looking at her Astra Gaming Tablet.
Nicolae accidentally sends Ina two Red Superchats instead of one due to the surprise care package.
Nicolae swipes the two Cosmic Cookies, holding them up with reverence and glee.
Nicolae feels happy and warm that the User picked a great time to send the two Cookies to her.
Nicolae puts the table and the Cookies down on the bed, the latter being reserved as snacks for when she continues watching Ina and her pun.
Nicolae hops off the bed before skipping over to the very normal-looking chest in a corner of her home.
Very normally, Nicolae opens the chest, leaning inside it to search for things to gift the User back.
Very, very normally, Nicolae is gulped down bit by bit by the chest.
Very, very, very normally, Nicolae disappears inside the chest before strange sounds, a literal commotion with cats mewing and dogs barking, and a Wilheim Scream, can be heard.
As the chest jumps up and down in its place, a Takodachi from somewhere hops onto the bed, very casually, it picks up a Cosmic Cookie and starts munching on it.
As the Takodachi enjoys both the Cookie and Ina's stream, things start flying out of the chest.
Nicolae is throwing the gifts toward the User.
User receives...
User receives: Robocop design knowledge.
User receives...
...
...
...
User receives: 1x Jatismar Ticket.
...
...
User receives Perk: Master of Ceremony.
...
User receives Perk: Borderline Justice.
...
...
User receives: 1x Upgrade-Weapon Ticket.
...
User receives: 10x Wisdom Cubes.
...
User receives: Myrtenaster.
User receives: 1x Master-teach-me! Ticket.
When everything is deposited and gifted, Nicolae appears from the very, very, very, very normal chest, looking not at all dishevelled.
Nicolae is stunned, however, when the Takodachi is now looking at her with its tentacles holding up the second Cosmic Cookies.
Both sides stare at each other when the Ina in the table sings: Tako, Tako, Tako!
The Takodachi bolts, jumping out the window of Nicolae's home.
Enraged by the audacity of the thief, Nicolae runs after the Takodachi, similarly jumping out the window as well to rescue her last Cosmic Cookie.
Nicolae has no time to elaborate.
Nicolae has to leave after bidding the User a temporary farewell.
...
...
...
This seems very familiar...]
Once again, it takes all of my self-control not to burst out laughing at the adoringly dorky mental image induced by the System. Knowing that the Emperor is watching the stream, I'm unsure if she is laughing at this as well.
[Emperor of Man: I am lmfao.]
Well, that answers that question, but seriously, Emperor?
[Emperor of Man: At least I don't know how to send an Emoji.]
Oh, that will just be weird... But moving on!
That has been quite the haul, huh... I am down to seven Cosmic Cookies now, but I am indeed very happy. I was hoping that I would get a new melee weapon, something that is not just any normal blade, and I would get it with a nice bonus attached, the Upgrade-Weapon Ticket.
[Myrtenaster:
It's a Multi-Action Dust Rapier.
Highly durable and sharp, comparable to an Artificer-crafted non-powered sword, with the capability of using Dust, stored in six slots in the revolver-like chamber around the ricasso, to generate supernatural phenomena.
Warning! Dust is unavailable for the User! An alternative must be found for the User to use Myrtenaster's spell-casting ability!]
[Upgrade-Weapon Ticket:
As the name suggests, the Ticket can be used to upgrade any weapon.
The Ticket's effectiveness is random, but the resulting upgrade or upgrades are guaranteed to always be positive.
Useable by mentally designating the target to be upgraded and tearing the Ticket.
The upgrade process is tamper-proof and safe. This is a guarantee by the entire Shoggoth race.
Addendum: To avoid the possibility of the chosen weapon being stolen, the Shoggoth race adds a soul-binding script to the weapon of choice, ensuring that the weapon won't ever leave its owner's side, even if it's a sapient gigantic planetary superweapon.]
Hey Ferb, I know what we're gonna do today!
Jokes aside, I need a good weapon, even if it's a bladed one. Myrtenaster can be a great investment, even if there exists the possibility that I will have to be careful when I use the upgraded version. Of course, I can use the weapon upgrade ticket on a Lasrifle, but seriously, what will it get me, a Hellgun? I can also save it, but I don't think it will be a good idea, considering I am actually lacking in the CQC department right now.
And there are a lot of terrors out there in the universe that favor CQC.
[Emperor of Man: Use the weapon ticket on the Myrtenaster, trust me.]
And there we have it, the seal of approval from the Emperor Herself.
[Emperor of Man: Afterwards, while you're stuck inside the Chimera, use the Master-teach-me! Ticket."
I subtly raise an eyebrow before checking the suggestion.
[Master-teach-me! Ticket:
Allow the User to connect and travel to a different universe where User can learn under a random Martial Art Master.
When the Master accepts the User as a disciple, the User can travel to the Master's universe.
Time in the User's home universe will cease until the User's return. User can travel to the Master's universe whenever the Master accepts the User's request.
Warning! As a dutiful disciple, User must not stray too far from your Master, unless the Master permits it or there are extenuating circumstances! Failing to comply means the User will be sent back to your home universe, and travel will be banned for a period of time!
Warning! While there is no System penalty for the User to stay permanently in the Master's universe, it's not recommended to do so unless the User wishes their home universe to reach a BAD END!]
...
...
...
Well, that's oddly specific...
[Emperor of Man: But you and I both know you won't abuse your soon-to-be Master, am I right?]
Damn right, I won't. I still have things to do and ladies to protect.
Now then, what about the rest of the stuff...
[Perk - Master of Ceremonies:
Grant instinctive understanding of any and all ceremonies, supernatural or not.
Minor boosts to the handling and damage of one-handed weapons.
Moderate boosts to the handling and damage of a one-handed sword.
Mild boosts to all physical and mental aspects when the User wears impeccably for any occasion.
Moderate increases to charisma when dressed for any occasion, whether it's a prom night or the most fearsome battlefields.
Instill minor confusion and fear in weaker enemies when dressed the part.
Garner the respect of fearsome foes when spotlessly adorned.
Warning! The last four benefits only apply when the User wears attire that is deemed formal. User goes well in a suit or a dress.]
[Perk - Borderline Justice:
User is more effective against targets that are deemed 'Evil' by the User.
Minor boosts to the handling and damage of rifles.
Moderate boosts to the handling and damage of lever-action rifles.
Minor boosts to the handling and damage of pistols.
Moderate boosts to the handling and damage of revolvers, hand cannons, or high-power pistols.
Generate a single D1N8-M7T3, spelled Dynamite, Melta Bomb, each day. Bomb can be found in the User's inventory.]
Holy Terra, these Perks are broken as heck, when used appropriately, of course.
[Emperor of Man: Uhm, I guess you know which weapon or clothes you should be hunting down next. Personally, I like the Master of Ceremonies Perk more.]
How so?
[Emperor of Man: You look pretty in a dress.]
...
Straightforward much?
I mentally file the thought to the Emperor, and the ten Wisdom Cubes, but when I reach the last item of interest, both She and I freeze.
[Jatismar Ticket:
...]