Chapter 53: Departure

“Sigh, yes, those traitors seized the *Glory Saber*. Fortunately, the Angels of the Star Knights Chapter descended and annihilated most of them.”

Loken roared loudly on the bridge of the *Ignis*, his voice transmitted via long-range comms to the surface of Machande II. Ever since receiving the distress signal, the surface forces had been attempting to contact the orbital station.

It wasn't that the ground forces hadn't considered sending reinforcements, but because communications were severed, they were unaware of the station's status.

If the orbital station had already fallen to the enemy, any reinforcement force would likely be intercepted halfway.

It wasn't until Loken's signal broke through that they realized the orbital station had suffered a severe attack.

“Report losses.”

A voice with a heavy metallic texture rang out from the other end of the comms. Loken could tell that this individual was the current Forge Lord, and there was a high probability he was the one who had assassinated Loken's mentor.

From the man's tone alone, Loken could detect a distinct sense of schadenfreude.

He sniffed and spoke in a mournful tone

“Archmagos, the losses are catastrophic! The station's power systems have been severely damaged, the traitors destroyed a massive number of automated defense turrets, and they've abducted everyone on the station!”

“Everyone!?”

The voice lost its previous composure, giving Loken a sudden surge of vengeful satisfaction.

“Yes! Those damned... traitors who deserve to be cursed ten thousand times! They took everyone! They didn't even spare my medical servitors!”

Not far behind him, Sothian shook his head at Loken's theatrical performance, while the Lothar修士 couldn't help but crack a smile.

“Are you certain?”

“I witnessed it with my own eyes!”

“Then why weren't you abducted?”

“Because the noble Star Knights arrived just in time! They wiped out that band of traitors before I could be taken!”

“I... let me speak to their commander.”

“Archmagos, I'm afraid that's not possible. The Angels are busy pursuing the traitors—ah! The *Glory Saber* is about to slip into the Warp! The Angels are about to board!”

As he spoke, Loken jammed one of his mechanical limbs into the console and entered a string of garbled code, instantly flooding the communication channel with static noise.

“What? Hello! Loken! Do you hear me!”

“Archmagos! Rest assured, I will bring the *Glory Saber* back even if it kills me! Just wait for me!”

Loken hung up immediately, turned around, and gave Sothian an "OK" gesture. Sothian gave a slight nod in response.

“Engage the Warp engines!”

Two warships, one following the other in a pursuit formation, leaped into the Warp not far from the orbital station, vanishing into the vast void.

In the space they left behind, the shattered wreckage of the *New Phalos* drifted silently in the freezing vacuum.

By the time the vanguard forces from the surface reached the orbital station, they found only a silent, graveyard-like metal structure. The interior was a shambles; not only was there not a single living soul to be seen, but the vast array of automated defense turrets attached to the station had also vanished.

The Adeptus Mechanicus forces that arrived later conducted a meticulous inspection. Aside from a pile of unrecognizable flesh found in the blood-stained command center, they found nine incomplete, thoroughly incinerated corpses of Chaos Space Marines.

The bodies had been placed in the station's small chapel, facing the icon of the Emperor, all fixed in a kneeling position.

On the floor, a line of High Gothic was written in blood

*“Traitors shall die in shame.”*

Upon preliminary examination, it was discovered that the gene-seed had been completely extracted from these "medium-rare" Chaos Space Marine corpses. Judging by the stiffness of the bodies, they had clearly been dead for some time.

The Mechanicus personnel then checked the warehouses, only to find them cleaner than the face of the Emperor's icon in the chapel. Not only was all the materiel and equipment intended for the Imperial Guard gone, but even the twelve Markos Heavy Armors had vanished.

Even more absurdly, the food stores and kitchens had been emptied!

Had those traitors brought a mob of beggars to rob them?

This question haunted the Tech-Priests. As they conducted a deeper inspection, they realized the automated turrets hadn't been destroyed, but rather dismantled.

The station's power systems, electrical grids, and communication arrays were not merely damaged; many components were simply missing.

Furthermore, the method was highly professional, causing no collateral damage to the surrounding structures.

Could there have been heretical Tech-Cultists involved in this invasion?

Regardless, this was a massive loss, both in terms of materiel and personnel, not to mention the loss of a Navy frigate.

This legal and political headache would likely escalate all the way to the Sector Governor. The Archmagos of Machande II would be dealing with these grievances for a long time.

As for Loken.

That man had better stay lost in the Warp forever.

***

“*Ignis*, this is *Glory Saber*. All systems normal. Geller Field active.”

As soon as they entered the Warp, Hodges' voice rang out on the bridge.

“This is *Ignis*. I am Sothian. Exit coordinates set to Volistad High Orbit 1-23.”

“Copy that.”

The *Ignis* had followed the *Glory Saber* into the Warp. The moment it entered, tendrils of energy ignited upon the active Geller Field, and streaks of pink and blue light illuminated the navigational shields.

It felt as if the ship had plunged into the atmosphere of another world.

Immediately following, eerie harmonics echoed through the ship's internal communication network. The chaotic, distorted sounds emitted by the ship's augurs sounded like pleas, agonized screams, begging, and whispers.

To crew members who had spent long periods navigating, these sounds were nothing new; they came from the void, the most direct manifestation of the Warp.

However, Sothian felt those endless voices recede just as they were about to pour into his ears, turning into a distant echo.

The ship vibrated, but quickly settled into calm.

The voices vanished as the reinforced Geller Field blocked them out.

After handing the bridge over to Lothar, Sothian turned and headed straight for the armory.

Originally, he had intended to return to his home—not out of nostalgia, but because he wanted to recruit a batch of suitable neophytes for augmentation. The Chapter was in dire need of new blood.

But Magos Sade had suddenly awakened and instructed Tech-Marine Rico Rogris to send him a message, changing the destination to Volistad.

Sothian had never heard of this name; it was clearly not an important world.

But Magos Sade spoke with purpose. Sothian complied and changed the course, though the world was located in the Dragon Sector, adjacent to the famous Amygdalon System, meaning the journey would take some time.

During this transit, Sothian intended to ask Magos Sade the reason for this change.

“Chapter Master?”

As the automatic doors opened, Sothian saw Rogris performing maintenance on Magos Sade. The Magos appeared to be in a good, sanctified state; Rogris was merely applying some oil to his left arm.

“Mm. Leave us. I have matters to discuss with Magos Sade.”

“Understood.”

Once Rogris had withdrawn, Sothian got straight to the point

“Why are we going to Volistad?”

“There is a very precious gift there.”

“A gift? What is it?”

“I have forgotten too much. I only remember this name. What it truly is... I must find it myself to know.”