Chapter 35: The New Pharos

The Orbital Defense Station commander stormed into the sector's central control room, an institution embedded deep within the fortress's armor.

The spacious room was filled with personnel on both levels. As they snapped to attention upon noticing their superior's arrival, the room was left with nothing but empty chairs and the sound of combat boots striking the floor, while the Cogitator and Scanner systems continued to hum.

"Report to me immediately!"

General Sola barked, his belly appearing even larger than before, as if it might explode at any moment.

The officer in charge of the area quickly stepped away from his augur array, sweating profusely and clutching a yellow data-strip in his hand.

"It is definitely the *New Phalos*, sir."

As he spoke, he handed the data results to the station commander.

"Her course is completely erratic, and she emerged from the Warp in a completely wrong location."

"What about communications?"

The station commander glanced at the slip of paper, then looked up at the information displays echoing through the central framework.

"We received a burst of transmission codes less than sixty seconds ago, sir," a flushed communications officer said, holding a headset in his hand.

"But the content is unintelligible. We have since cleared the influence of the asteroid belt, so the signal should be stronger; all channels are now open."

"They might just be lost in the Warp. It is said that a massive rebellion has broken out in the Ultima Segmentum; things are quite unsettled there."

Loken did not agree with this incompetent bureaucrat's assessment. He sensed a hint of danger, for the timing of this ship being "lost" was far too coincidental—occurring exactly as the sector patrol fleet was leaving this system to head toward other systems.

Though he was reluctant to wade into these murky waters, he turned to the other officers who remained optimistic.

"I would like to remind everyone of Orbital Station Standing Orders, Chapter One, Section Three: what is our primary principle when facing the unknown or the uncertain?"

"Prepare for the worst," the station commander replied impatiently, waving a hand as if brushing away an annoying fly.

"And trust in the God-Emperor."

Loken nodded.

"So, you see, even the dullest blade can still cut if it is sharpened enough. Although the *New Phalos* is merely an unarmed transport, we must still assume the worst-case scenario, must we not?"

"Ho, who knew our Loken Magos was also a military strategist?"

The young officer who had attempted to embarrass him in the briefing room earlier spoke up again, even letting out a flippant whistle that drew laughter from the rest of the cohort.

"I am merely offering a well-intentioned reminder."

Loken truly wanted to excise that bastard's frontal lobe right then and there and repurpose him as a lavatory-cleaning servitor, but he managed to control his voice.

After that, he fell silent.

Seeing his demeanor, the other officers bothered him no further, continuing to discuss trivialities and ignoring the fact that the transport ship was drawing closer to the defensive orbit.

*Beep, beep, beep, beep—*

At that moment, the massive augur began to emit a piercing screech. The operators immediately became frantic, attempting to upload the data stream from the augur while typing furiously upon runes.

In the corridors outside, the footsteps of the local defense forces being mobilized could already be heard. Beside them, the station commander was checking the defensive deployments spread across the sub-sector via holographic charts, while other officers continued to cluster around him.

The communications captain, seated within the upper information framework, suddenly shouted, interrupting General Sola's task assignments.

"Sir, we have received a transmission from the *New Phalos*!"

"She has just cleared the influence of the asteroid belt," another officer added from his position at the augur array.

"Play it," the station commander ordered, gripping the brass railing surrounding the holograms.

The room fell suddenly silent.

First came a burst of static interference, followed by a sudden surge in volume, before finally descending from a grotesque scream to a low murmur.

The communications officer leaned down to reach a frequency component, adjusting a pair of sliders.

The noisy static gradually receded and vanished like a passing ghost. Loken suddenly frowned; he seemed to hear another sound—

It was the deathly wail of a machine spirit.

After some tinkering, the two channels were finally linked.

"...Repeat, this is Captain Koperos of the *New Phalos*. Does anyone copy? We are having engine trouble."

"Captain!" the station commander shouted. "We have received your message. This is the Mars-Kand II Planetary Defense Orbital Bastion sector. I am Station Commander Sola, speaking to you. What is your status? Over."

"Thank the God-Emperor!" the Captain's voice came back quickly. "We have a situation here, General. Some slaves attempted a riot and caused a serious security incident. I was forced to seal the escape deck levels and open the pressure doors. I am currently on the bridge with my remaining security detail."

"Has the riot been quelled?"

"Most of it has been suppressed, but we cannot proceed to our intended destination. We have no choice but to alter our course to return the way we came."

"I have received your situation, Captain Koperos. However, according to regulations, I cannot allow you to enter orbit directly. I will dispatch a squad of Imperial Marines to your freighter; only after a thorough inspection may you pass."

"Very well. I am ready for inspection at any time."

"I will arrange it immediately. Please stand by."

Having finished, the station commander signaled the officer to pause the connection.

"Has the Marine squad been mobilized?"

"I estimate eighty-five percent are ready, sir, but I believe they can be deployed now."

"How much time do we have?"

"Based on current speed and trajectory," the officer in charge of the augur said, hunched over his screen, "assuming there are no further issues with the engines, she will reach planetary orbit in just over two hours."

"Sir, do you need me to transmit information to the surface?"

"No, it is not necessary yet. The situation is still developing; it is not that serious."

As he spoke, General Sola straightened his back and looked at the young officer who had been sniping at Loken.

"Take your team via Hyena landing craft to the *New Phalos* and conduct a thorough search for any remaining rioters. I will continue communicating with the Captain and provide you with the latest updates. Once you confirm there are no issues, you will escort the *New Phalos* on her return journey."

"Understood, sir."

For now, it appeared to be a fairly easy task, and the young officer's face was full of eager anticipation.

But then, a voice he detested rang out.

"Officer Sola, I have a request."

Seeing Loken waving from within the crowd, the station commander frowned.

"What is it?"

"We should report to the Bishop before taking action. I found the Captain's explanation just now to be somewhat strange... How could slaves on a transport ship cause such severe damage? If it were a prison ship, I might understand, but slaves on a transport... with all due respect, even the servitors that clean my toilets could take on ten men. Generally speaking, their average lifespan is only eight to ten standard Terran months, most accompanied by disease and severe malnutrition. Furthermore, boarding the ship so abruptly at this time poses its own risks."

Loken tilted his head toward the young officer, who crossed his arms over his breastplate and glared back.

"On what basis do you assume Captain Koperos is lying, Priest Loken?" the station commander asked after a moment of silence. He did not immediately refute him; clearly, he had also considered the possibility.

"Rational analysis and personal judgment."

"You are being insolent, Loken!" the young officer roared. "We will not halt our operations because of your sudden whims. You should stay in your power room; military operations are not your concern."

Loken shrugged and stepped aside. He had said all he could; the rest was left to the judgment of the Omnissiah.

(End of Chapter)