Author Notes:
I am back at it with another coffee-infused GSS chapter kek
There are advanced chapters on P-atreon for both of my fics, with a couple of special bonuses if you read the fine print :D
https://www.patr-eon.com/Heartbreak117
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Income goal 716/700 USD TARGETED GOAL REACHED! THANK YOU!
For my fics:
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/55793/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich/
https://www.webnovel.com/book/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich_23809095505377305
https://photos.app.goo.gl/waZgkRa3UQhqKQBi9
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/1375924/in-the-grimdark-sector-with-a-system/
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"Milords and Miladies." I greet the Space Marines and Sisters of Battle, who are being briefed by Sergeant Johnson, with an Aquila sign. "Corporal Ein and Private Weiss reporting for duty." Next to me, Weiss makes the same symbol with her hands.
I then turn to Johnson, snapping a salute. "Sergeant."
The three parties nod at Weiss and me, with some of the Space Marines and Sisters of Battle removing their helmets. Mama, who is one of them and represents the Order of Our Martyred Lady, introduces the Space Marines to us.
"Corporal Ein and Private Weiss, these are the respected Space Marines of the Salamander Chapter. Today, we are fortunate enough to be accompanied and aided by their Chapter Master Tu'shan, and Chief Librarian Vel'cona. It's thanks to their Thunderhawks that we could swiftly deploy such a big force." So not Tu'na and Vel'conan. Noted.
True to Mama's words, Salamander Thunderhawk Transporters are dropping multiple pairs of Rhino APCs. While most of the Rhinos bear the Salamander livery, some adorn the colors of the Order of Our Martyred Lady. Seeing how I am gazing at the deployment of such a large mechanized force in slight surprise, Mama chuckles.
"The Adeptus Mechanicus expresses a vested interest in the unidentified void ship. Under the authority of Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl, a Joint Task Force was created to explore the crashed vessel. The Joint Task Force, or JTF for short, now consists of elements from the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Salamander Chapter of Space Marines, the Order of Our Martyred Lady, the Imperial Navy, and the Cadian 8th Regiment of which your 3rd Platoon is a part of. Since a member unit of the JTF is under duress, a QRF is sent to aid the QRF, as weird as it may sound. These," Mama gestures to the towering forms of the Salamanders and Battle Sisters alongside their land vehicles and aircraft. "are the QRF of the Joint Task Force."
Although the reasoning behind such a prompt force deployment is very straight to the point and very much open to questions, I decide it's not my place to wonder. Instead, I bow gratefully at the armored figures in front of me. "Although my Sergeant might have already expressed our gratefulness, allow me to offer Milords and Miladies the gratitude of 3rd Platoon for your timely arrival. If not for your help, I fear we would have eventually been forced to make a last stand."
Though Mama and the other Sisters of Battle, headed by a helmeted and bolter-equipped Tsavorae, amicably return my gratitude with amicable gestures, the Space Marines only nod appreciatively. On his part, Johnson only smiles while crossing his arms, contending to silently watch what will happen next or until the conversation requires his input. With mild surprise, I notice that Weiss mirrors my action once more, even if it isn't truly required of her at the moment. Still, I note how the Rookie doesn't seem at all fazed by the presence of the Space Marines despite her prior show of unease. She plays the part of a respectful Guardswoman a tad too well, too natural that makes it seem impossible for her to be a mere Private and this is her first time seeing the Emperor's Angels. More food for thought, to be sure, but I digress.
When I look up and see the source of the approaching hulking steps, I lay my eyes upon a Space Marine that dwarfs even the rest of his peers. I identify the towering personage as the Chapter Master of the Salamanders, owing to the impressive armor, Iron Halo, and weapons he bears. He wears a suit of ancient Artificer Armour. Two pauldrons sit upon his hulking shoulders, wrought into the image of the snarling fire lizards of Nocturne from which the Salamanders Chapter takes its name. A cloak of salamander hide, a more venerable and honor-strewn version of that worn by the Salamanders' 1st Company warriors known as the Firedrakes, is draped across the Chapter Master's broad back. Attached to his left hip is the decorated and ancient Prometheus flamer while he is carrying the Strormbreak Thunder Hammer with his right hand. The Chapter Master is the first to remove his protective helmet, an action to be followed by his Chief Librarian and a few other Salamanders.
"Well met, young Ein." Honor markings cover Tu'Shan's noble countenance, a physical legacy of his deeds writ into his ebon flesh. His glowing red eyes carry within them the weight of the world, making them gleam mysteriously with each small movement. Yet, despite wearing a face that can scare a child into blissful sleep, the Chapter Master displays the face of a gentle giant. "You and your comrades have honored your Regiment and Cadia today for being professional and decisive in the line of duty." Much like Tu'shan, Chief Librarian Vel'cona, and the other Space Marines display sincere respect as Defenders of the Imperium to one another.
I respectfully reply. "You honored us with your words, Milord. We did only what any good Imperial Guards would do and to the best of our ability."
"Then the Imperium is blessed to have you all under Her wings." Tu'shan gives one last nod before his towering presence gazes around the formation of JTF elements. "Alas, Time waits for no one. The circumstances with the Traitors have made it so that we must make haste to the crash site. There must be secrets within the voidship for the Traitors to make themselves known in such a large number."
Vel'cona also interjects while gazing at the scenes of reinforcing Cadian 8th Guards, using flamers to burn the battlefield carcasses. "There's also the question of where the Traitors came from."
Tsavorae adds. "And whether or not the Traitors will be appearing still. Regardless, the bolters of the Sisters thirst for the Traitors' demise. No one is to harm our fellows with impunity."
Vel'cona nods in agreement. "A sentiment that we all share."
"Still, caution and proper preparation are required." Mama raises her hand to calm down the hotheads. "Until the Tech-priests from the Dominus arrive, we will plan our approach to the voidship and for when we get inside it. Sergeant Johnson, a resupply Valkyrie is on the way. Outfit your Platoon to fit the task at hand. You will be accompanying us in exploring the internals of that voidship. I figure 3rd Platoon is aching to understand what's going on."
Johnson salutes. "Yes, Ma'am. I will make sure the unit packs a flamer or two."
Mama nods at that while Tu'shan adds. "I will have the Thunderhawks patrol the airspace above the crash site. They will give us the cover we need and prevent further enemy infiltration into the area."
"Air cover is always welcome in scenarios like this." Mama comments.
Suddenly, I raise a hand to suggest. "If I may, is it possible to have the Thunderhawks or Valkyries deploy Sensor-skulls on the voidship? We can use the Skulls to scan for entrances and maybe explore the internals before our entry."
Tu'shan directly replies. "I will have our Thunderhawks notified. We should have preliminary recon data on the ship when we arrive."
Tsavorae gives me a thumbs-up. "Good idea, Ein. We would have missed the Sensor-skulls due to us all having powered armor and firepower."
Mama doesn't say anything but does give me a proud nod and a wink. Heh, she also had the same idea in mind but stayed silent to see whether or not I would make my presence known. Moving on, more suggestions and information are traded between everyone. This happens while more and more units are airlifted into the operation zone. Tech-priests disembarking from shuttles, Guardsmen and Guardswomen hopping off Valkyries, with additional Cadian 8th Chimeras and Tauroxes arriving from elsewhere... The whole scene puts a strong emphasis on the words Joint Task Force, which is weird because I don't think the 40K universe ever displays this concept.
Regardless, the time soon comes for us all to set out to the crash site, rearmed, refueled, and reinforced. If there are more Traitors around, the JTF can beat back everything they can reasonably bring to bear without triggering another Black Crusade. Still...
Why is Weiss and I being sandwiched by Mama and Tsavorae in one of the Rhinos, with the Salamander Chapter Master and Chief Librarian looking at us in barely hidden amusement? What the Hell did I miss and why are Weiss and I not riding in a Chimera instead?
Sharing a look of puzzlement with Weiss, I wonder.
'Did we just get yoink?'