Author Notes:
Not sure if this is peak incoming, but hey, here's a GSS chapter, loyal citizens of the Imperium!
As for why the minor delay exist... Let's just say that life happens, and leave it at that. Should the Emperor favor us, then I can recover from this, alright.
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I quickly step into Belisarius Cawl's office, where the entirety of my Platoon is already standing respectfully in front of the Archmagos Dominus. Yes, the three members of my unit who received severe injuries have rejoined our formation with various degrees of mechanical body replacements or modifications. They stand tall, showing no discomfort with the fact that their respective torso, head, and arm are now metallic rather than flesh and skin. Upon seeing me enter, my Platoon mates turn and regard me with amicable nods, whereas Cawl greets me directly.
"Corporal Ein, you come just in time." He then turns to the tall figure in armor behind me. "And you must be Setsuna."
While I wave at Cawl in a simple return of greeting, Sister Setsuna behind me extends a polite hello to the Archmagos Dominus.
"I pay my respects to you, Archmagos Dominus." Setsuna bows slightly with her polished steel body.
"Your respect is received." Cawl's reply comes before a green holographic projection appears in the middle of the office.
Although it's called an office, it's not wrong to think of it as Cawl's many personal workshops on the Iron Revenant. There are certainly various mechanical parts and trinkets in addition to the retractable pict projector on the ceiling. And because it's Cawl we're talking about, the office is massive indeed to accommodate his size and projects.
The projection in the middle of the room flickers momentarily before it shows a satellite view of what appears to be a locomotive track in the middle of nowhere. The projection flickers again before the viewpoint is changed to a halted cargo train in the middle of an encirclement of vehicles and soldiers.
"Damn it," Sergeant Johnson hoarsely exhales. "I recognize those cultist bastards anywhere. I thought they were all concentrated on Installation 08, but I guess there are places we missed."
True to Johnson's assessment, the cargo train, more specifically a munition hauler train, is waylaid by a group of highly mobile traitors, judging from the many wheeled vehicles around it. One can only imagine the grim fate that has befallen the crew of that train. But that's not all...
"Wait, what's that massive bird due North?" It was Scorpin who interjected, pointing directly at the metaphorical elephant in the room.
Scorpin's question is partly answered when a Power Armor-clad visage steps off the front ramp of the landed aircraft.
"Well, I'll be damn..." Scorpin says dryly as we all lay witness to the sight of a traitorous Astartes directing the offloading of Astartes-grade munitions from the parked train and onto the aircraft.
The Astartes is seen wearing Power Armor of light blue, and probably silver as a secondary color. The most distinctive features he has are a gray coat on his back, alongside a helmet design from the Old Legion era. Unfortunately, I am unable to make out further details due to the subpar resolution of the satellite view provided. As the looting process continues, Cawl explains.
"What you are seeing is a venerable machine, a Khonsu Pattern Stormbird. It's a heavily armed and armored assault transport from millennia past. Yet, it's clear it has now fallen into treacherous hands, given it's now part of a looting party that preyed on the Imperium supply line. It's, however, unknown how something that size manages to slip past our Auspex, but I can already hazard a guess... Judging from the markings on the Stormbird and what can be made of the Chaos Marine, they all belong to the secretive and traitorous Alpha Legion of Astartes. The sole Astartes we managed to identify, however, should have hailed from the infamous Effrit Stealth Squad of the Alpha Legion, specialising in infiltration, stealth, sabotage, and assassination. A truly worthy and dangerous foe on his lonesome, even to the veteran Salamanders that we know of, and I have reasons to suspect that he is connected to the Thousand Sons Legion Chaos Marines that are causing trouble in the bowels of Installation 08..."
"... After all, everyone knows that if there's something odd happening that you can't seem to make out the reason why it's happening in the first place, half of the time it involves an Alpha Legionnaire." The Archmagos Dominus speaks evenly with his mechanical tone, as if he's spouting a factual statement. "But fortunately for you all, the Astartes matter is not a thing you will be concerning yourself with. The pict-capture you are viewing occurred an hour and twelve minutes ago. Exactly half an hour ago, the Stormbird and its Chaos Marine occupant took off and disappeared, leaving just the grassroots cultists still frolicking around the train."
Cawl then continues to tell us about the reason why we're here.
"Munition hauler RTX-6090 was tasked with bringing heavy ordnance to Depot I5-15000 before it was intercepted. 3rd Platoon will be tasked with reclaiming munition train RTX-6090 and what's left of its cargo. After the locomotive is secured, a new crew will be airlifted in to command it."
Hearing this far, I raise a hand to ask.
"What's our approach method? To what extent can we damage the train? What is our support?" The three questions are fired in quick succession, prompting the Archmagos Dominus to reply.
"Roughneck Section has just docked with the Iron Revenant. They are refueling and rearming as we speak. They shall both be your ride to the mission area and your support. Additional air assets include two Vulture gunships. Friendly ground assets are a Fireteam of Skiitari, who will be performing missions nearby, and responding railway patrol units of the nearest garrisons. They shall be your QRF should you find yourself overwhelmed. The train is preferably secured whole. However, if it proves to be untenable, then you are permitted to do whatever it takes to eliminate the corruption on that RTX-6090."
"Sign me up as well." Setsuna suddenly chimes in.
Everyone looks at her with varying degrees of surprise on their faces, though Cawl's expression is quite unreadable due to his outstanding composure as a long-lived Tech-priest. I call out to Setsuna.
"Sister Setsuna, I really don't think you should deploy with us. No offense, but you are still acclimating to your new self. Throwing you right into the thick of it is potentially harmful to both you and us." I explain with concern.
"I do believe I am capable of controlling the me who is 10% stronger than before, Ein. You will not see me dragging you or your Platoon down, at the very least." Setsuna replies with a confident quirk of her lips. "And I expect my armor to be capable of acting as a shield for your Platoon. A train is a place where fatal funnels are always presented, after all."
"... I guess I can't argue with that." I scratch my head, sighing before I turn to Johnson.
"You good with this Sister joining us, Sarge?" I throw the potato to Johnson, causing him to chuckle with his arms crossed.
"As long as she is Ok with the chain of command being what it is, I welcome her participation." The Sergeant answers.
"You may treat me much like any soldier, Sergeant Johnson. You will not see me disputing your orders unless it's severely egregious." Setsuna nods, showcasing her willingness to fall under Johnson's command.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Sister." Johnson gives the Sister of Battle a thumbs-up before turning to Cawl.
"So, when do we deploy, Archmagos Dominus?"
"You may proceed to hangar bay D2-14.08 whenever you're done picking your weapons. Do be mindful that the train may not even exist anymore if you take too long with your preparation."
"Understood. Come on, boys and girls, let's roll!"
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"Hey! If it ain't my best pals and gals, the Froggers~!" Comes the cheery greeting and waving of Yang, Roughneck 1-2's pilot.
Next to the energetic blonde, the black-haired Felinid and Section Leader, Blake, regards us with a nod and a formal salute. "Good to see you all, 3rd Platoon. You can count on us to get you planetside fast and true."
Upon 3rd Platoon filing into the hangar bay, Roughneck Section and my unit start exchanging information and gossip. Having performed multiple missions together, we are way past the point of pleasantries and getting along. Our two units consider each other brothers and sisters in arms, and there exists an unspoken agreement between us comrades that we will always have each other's backs. While taking Valkyries from a voidship to planetside is uncommon when it's not for planetary assault, it's not at all a rare event. But it will be uncomfortable, and there's a certain risk should the Valkyries be serviced improperly; that's for sure. Still, we have nothing to fear if it's the Roughnecks ferrying us. And we know for sure they won't leave us hanging when it's time to either call for fire support or MEDEVAC.
"Roughneck Section, rearming and refueling are complete. You are cleared for dust-off." The voice comes from the hangar bay intercom.
"That's our cue." Johnson says, prompting us to quit our chatter and start boarding the ramps of the Valkyries.
Much like before, Weiss and I join Johnson's Squad on Blake's Valkyrie, while Scorpin's Special Weapon Squad mounts up on Yang's. However, this time around, Blake's Valkyrie welcomes another passenger in the form of Setsuna and her set of Power Armor.
"I am grateful that neither of you brought a Heavy Bolter, for I don't think we will be able to safely fly otherwise." Comes the exasperated voice of Blake upon seeing the yellow blinker going on and off constantly, warning Blake that her Valkyrie is approaching its maximum takeoff weight.
"My apologies, Lieutenant." Setsuna speaks through her helmet. While her voice is a bit distorted, those familiar with Setsuna can sense that she is a bit sheepish. "My participation is a bit abrupt, so I have no choice but to squeeze into your Valkyrie. I tried to limit the weight of my loadout to the best of my ability already..."
"Then why are you bringing a Jump Pack of all things? It's a train we're heading to, and it's not like it's moving anywhere..." Blake's sigh can be heard as the Valkyries spool their engines.
"... I only want to stay prepared, that's all." Setsuna replies wryly as she checks her Power Sword and Bolt Pistol in the meantime.
"Fair enough... Ok, people, strap yourselves down. I don't want to see blood on the ceiling when the ramp is lowered. And make sure you check the others' harnesses! This is a Valkyrie we're flying in; don't underestimate an atmospheric reentry in it!"
To Setsuna, it's a simple thing of magnetically attaching herself to the floor of the Valkyrie. But to us mortals, we really need to follow through on Blake's helpful reminder. As the others proceed to do what's asked of them, I help Weiss strap herself down, just as she is doing the same to me.
"Comfortable?" I ask with a soft smile as I make sure the seat harness is resting over Weiss' shoulders.
"Not my first choice in heading planetside." Weiss sighs as she helps me lower my harness. "I'd rather crash down in a voidship than be stuck in a Valkyrie in atmospheric reentry any day."
I giggle, shaking my head. "Don't tempt fate, Rookie, you know how bad our Froggers' luck is."
Weiss blanches before sighing. "Right... It's always one thing then another with 3rd Platoon. Can't seem to get a good break, huh?"
"Duty ends with our termination, Weiss. But I guess you, of all people, should understand that already." I say, smiling meaningfully as I feel the Valkyrie lift off and enter zero-G.
Still, I can understand Weiss' point. If even an undercover Lucifer Black is thinking it's tiresome, then what about the others in my Platoon?
We really need to finish up on Installation 08 and get a well-deserved paid break. Otherwise, I will sue the Emperor of Man for violating welfare regulations.
[Emperor of Man: ... Where did that even come from???]