Chapter 38: Blood Calamity (Part II)

After the calm warp transit concluded, as the *Spark* wrenched itself from the shimmering madness, the entire hull shuddered and groaned with a supernatural dread, like a predator lunging thunderously from a placid sea, surrounded by a fading halo.

The augur-matrix continued to chime as it probed the new environment, and the blurred, incomplete sea-green holographic images of the Makand system were slowly manifesting on the hololith screen before the command throne on the bridge.

Soshian stood before his throne, flanked by Losa, three other squad leaders, and the High Priest.

"We are two hours from high orbit," Losa said, attempting to focus on the tactical briefing.

"Preliminary scans indicate a vessel on our heading. We are still conducting identification. Considering the possibility of an engagement, we are reading macro-cannon data and the likelihood of encountering debris within the gravity well."

Soshian listened intently before the screen. Yazdan Shahinian, clad in black combat armor, nodded thoughtfully; the independent squad leaders were also learning to perform tactical analyses.

"According to the information transmitted by the Star-Speakers, the orbital defense station on that planet appears to have been activated," Losa continued, tapping a rune embedded in the holographic control panel to highlight the 3D image of the station.

"We received a warning signal along with some static. The station's weapons have not been engaged. Given the possibility of an invasion, there may still be survivors aboard."

"Someone beat us to it?" Armin muttered.

"Has it been confirmed that they were under attack?" Soshian asked cautiously. He had seen no signs of combat, and the augurs had not yet scanned any battlefield wreckage; it was difficult for an orbital defense station to fall silently and without a trace.

It sounded quite incredible.

"There is no definitive evidence yet, but that slowly moving ship might provide the answer."

"Time is of the essence; we must move quickly," Yazdan said, his skull-mask tilting slightly.

"It seems our initial plan does not need to change," Soshian decided swiftly.

"If the station that sent the signal is still resisting, it will become our base of operations." As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on the 3D image of the station, as if trying to etch it into his mind.

"If not, we will retake it. By protocol, all incoming supplies are to be stored in the station's temporary depots. We will enter there and retrieve our cargo, regardless of what stands in our way."

The gathered Space Marines nodded in silence.

"Before that, we must board that ship to see exactly what happened. Perhaps it will help us understand what we are about to face." Soshian turned his gaze toward Falzad and Ustade. "Your squads will accompany me for the boarding action."

"Yes, sir!"

"Commander..." Armin began, but Soshian interrupted him before he could finish.

"Your squad will serve as the reserve, ready to respond to any contingencies."

Armin hesitated for a moment but ultimately accepted the order.

"Prepare quickly. Assemble at the torpedo launch bay in ten minutes."

The Astra Knights quickly prepared for war. For many of the neophytes, this was their first official battle as Space Marines wearing power armor; previously, most had only participated in combat as scouts.

As the armorer-slaves and artificers busily outfitted the warriors, the decks were filled with the friction of armor plates, the hiss of servos, and the chanting of prayers as purity seals were affixed.

Soshian flexed his metal gauntlets, observing the fingers engraved with intricate micro-seals and feeling the perfect, synchronized response.

The power armor he wore now was not the one he had worn during his service, nor was it the one he had repaired after the Battle of the World Engine. This armor actually belonged to his great-great-great predecessor, kept preserved in a secret chamber.

It was a Mark VIII pattern artificer power armor, far more powerful than his previous suit in both protection and functionality. Not only was the neck guard increased, but the torso and limbs were adorned with lightning-like engravings. Combined with the Astra Knights' silver-grey primary color, it looked like thunder gathering energy within storm clouds, waiting to unleash massive destructive power.

The first time he donned it, Soshian realized how different this armor's Machine Spirit was from his old suit; it possessed an incredible sense of mobility, as if urging him toward battle.

After a servitor applied a purity seal to his right pauldron, Soshian donned his helmet, allowing the auto-sensory link to connect to his mind.

Despite possessing the Iron Halo, Soshian made every effort to remain like the other warriors. Regardless of who had come before, he was the current Chapter Master. The warriors would look to him as their example.

"Falzad."

Soshian's helmet vocoder rang out. The squad commander turned from his formation and bowed his head in salute.

"Are your neophytes ready for the bloodletting?" Soshian asked, casting his gaze toward the assembled recruits.

The rows of silver-armored warriors caused Soshian to recall the scene on the *Storm* once more, but back then they had had over seven hundred warriors; now, there were only twenty.

"They are ready, Chapter Master!" Falzad said, his eyes scanning his men. It was evident that some neophytes were trembling slightly from the anticipation of battle.

For a moment, Soshian remembered his own days serving in the neophyte ranks immediately after his transformation. They should have been honed in the neophyte training for a longer period, but the cruel reality forced them to mature rapidly—a maturity that would likely be paid for in blood. But Soshian had no choice.

His helmet concealed his lonely expression.

"Very well. Assault Captain, you will move with me. We will breach the bridge directly."

Falzad bowed again. "By your command, Chapter Master."

"Ustade."

Another captain stepped forward, lowering his head.

"You and your men will sweep the engine room."

"At once, Chapter Master."

The prepared squads immediately crossed the armory toward the launch ports. Every warrior had been briefed in detail on combat principles, tactical reports, environmental overviews, and enemy analysis; they all knew why they were here and what was required of them.

At that moment, Soshian's comms rang again; it was Losa's voice. They were passing through an asteroid belt and needed more time. More importantly, the ship in the void had suddenly stopped. Losa felt Soshian should listen, as they had received some strange signals.

"Report to Launch Port One, warriors," Soshian told them. "I must return to the bridge to make a decision. I will join you once we reach the designated position."

With that, he left the assembly. As he walked through the corridors toward the bridge, the *Spark* began to vibrate.

The strike cruiser's weapon arrays had ignited; the continuous sonic shockwaves of macro-cannon fire and lance strikes shook the surrounding space. The fleet was traversing the system's asteroid belt, and the barrages required to clear the path and shatter frozen rocks before they could cause sustained damage were necessary. The strike cruiser's void shields effectively defended against the fragments that shattered into millions of pieces upon impact, though the internal lights would occasionally flicker following a particularly tricky collision.