"Lord Tyberos, please follow me."
Colonel Kovek let out a breath of relief after steadying himself. If Romulus hadn't reminded them to activate the mag-lock function on their void armor ahead of time, his transport troops would be floating around in the void right now fishing for survivors.
Compared to Lord Romulus, these warriors in their brutal, almost crude armor didn't seem to care much about honor or ceremony.
Kovek drew a deep breath, pushed away those subtle thoughts, and donned again his reverence for the Emperor's Angels. With one of the Iron Knights escorting him, he stepped up to the Shark leader and delivered the invitation.
"Romulus has prepared a proper welcome ceremony for you."
The underdressed Carcharodons looked bewildered as mortal soldiers ushered them into the banquet hall prepared long in advance.
What they saw was not the ragged sight of a battered force, nor the savage desperation of strays baring their fangs to guard the last scraps of food.
Instead, towering Terminators in neat formation and massive vehicles arranged as background scenery became the brilliant set pieces of this feast.
The Sharks lowered their heads toward the lavish dishes laid out before them. They felt no appetite. Their burning eyes instead roamed over the equipment in view, practically popping from their helmets.
Weren't we supposed to be rescuing a bunch of broken remnants?
Why does the inside of this ship look like a completely different world?
They stole glances at the polished armor and ornate decoration of the Iron Knights guarding the mortals, such a stark contrast to their own riveted pauldrons and faded gray paint.
At a glance, it looked as if the rescuing Carcharodons were the ones being pitied.
"Do you want it?"
Romulus asked suddenly, even as his mind was split across dozens of threads conversing with other Sharks, probing for intel.
Unfortunately, most of them were silent, showing only faint surprise when the Iron Knights spoke in accents identical to their own. They were waiting for the Shadow Master's word.
"..."
Tyberos slumped into the seat prepared for him, staring blankly at the rich food on the table. He couldn't deny the desire.
But looking at the sheer value of this equipment and these vehicles—honestly, he regretted letting Achia take point on the negotiations earlier.
If all this had been his, and someone claimed half under the excuse of "rescue," he'd fight to the death before yielding.
Tying bonds with such a wealthy Chapter should mean building friendship, even long-term cooperation, not taking a bite and then leaving.
"As I said before," Romulus continued, apparently unconcerned about their earlier rudeness. His eyes fell on Tyberos' lightning claws, as if hinting at something.
"If you want it, you'll have to take it yourself."
"..."
Wait—how does he know these claws were looted in a duel with the Ashen Claws?
Even encased in the dreadnought-modified armor, with its ceramite and plasteel shell, Tyberos felt no safety. His helmet—repurposed from an Indomitus-pattern Terminator—still concealed his pallid face, but he felt as if Romulus had stripped him bare.
He turned toward Kahurangi, the Chapter's brain, only to find the Librarian already helmetless, chatting away with the Deathwatch psyker.
So this is what being fooled by a seer feels like?
Romulus, seeing Tyberos stunned, let the pressure drop.
"Duel."
He pointed to the Stormbird in the lower hangar. Rather than waste time building a stage, Romulus simply used the Stormbird's roof as the dueling platform. The vantage point was perfect.
"First blood."
The old dueling rite—end the fight at the first drop of blood.
With a crack, spotlights illuminated the Stormbird's wings.
There stood the black-armored swordsman, power pack removed, exuding suffocating pressure without restraint. His stance was flawless, his body radiating a rich scent of blood that licked across the aircraft's plating, making its young machine-spirit shudder with excitement.
"Let's do this in the way you know best," Romulus said.
"Let your blades speak."
The Shark ranks stirred uneasily, their eyes locked on Arthur standing upon the wing, and on the neat rows of Mk IV power armor laid out as if for inspection.
Wait a second—why does he look more at home in our Chapter than we do?
Tyberos dropped the act. The man clearly knew their culture, and after their rocky start, he had even offered him a graceful out.
If he didn't take the bait now, it would be plain disrespect.
He removed his helmet and flashed a hand signal unique to the Carcharodons.
Crash!
One Shark immediately rose and leapt onto the dueling field.
And in the very next moment—
Clang!
The Shark was hurled back at the same speed, landing flat on the metal deck.
The Apothecary rushed forward. The warrior's weapon had been cut clean through at its weakest point, and a shallow line on his gauntlet dripped red.
He stood, nodded to the Chapter Master. Aside from the scratch and a kick that had numbed his nerves, he was fine.
Whizz—
A masterwork chain-axe landed at his feet, tossed faster than his body could react.
"Consider this an apology," Arthur said, lowering his blade. He looked up at the watching Sharks.
"Maybe a few more of you at once would make it fairer?"
Crash—
Three more stood.
The Carcharodons cared little for "honor." A one-on-one duel was a gesture of respect, but if the opponent invited multiples, they'd never pass up the advantage.
But their brothers stopped them, handing over instead the most battered three weapons in their possession, placing them solemnly in the challengers' hands.
Achia, who had half-risen to bring glory to the Chapter, quickly sat back down and returned to devouring his meal.
"This is the Sharks," Romulus murmured, truly moved. This scene laid bare their core spirit.
Whether malice or kindness, as long as their bottom line wasn't crossed, they simply adapted to their environment. They weren't bound by honor, nor did they cling to likes or dislikes. Only necessity mattered.
Just like now.
And such men, Romulus thought, were the easiest of all to change.
__________________________________________________________
To read 15 more advanced chapters and support me, go to:
patreon.com/ArchSovereign