novelraw Chapter 90: Angelica's Request
Chapter 90: Angelica's Request
Angelica blinked her beautiful large eyes, and for a moment, Soshyan almost thought he saw starlight twinkling within them.
"For an Astartes Chapter Master, you seem unexpectedly concerned about the lives of mortals."
"Our mission is to protect mortals. A warrior without a sense of mission is worthless."
"Like the sacrifices your Chapter has made?"
Soshyan's head dipped slightly, and his face was finally no longer expressionless, but rather displayed a look of irritation.
"Inquisitor, I do not care for your tone, especially when discussing those sacrifices."
"My apologies."
Angelica immediately reigned in her expression and gave Soshyan a standard sign of the Aquila.
"Please believe me, I grieve the sacrifices of the Astral Knights more than anyone."
Following that, she took a deep breath and spoke sincerely:"My homeworld is Vavencaster. You might not remember that name, but another name you surely will... Vidar III."
Of course Soshyan remembered that name. It was precisely the Astral Knights' desperate final stand that had saved that planet from the scythes of the Necrons.
He just hadn't expected to meet an Inquisitor hailing from Vidar III here.
But he had no intention of using so-called gratitude to bargain for anything.
"It was our duty, just as you will run yourself ragged for the Emperor for the rest of your life. So there is no need to harbor any special thoughts, Inquisitor."
"I am merely showing a Hero of the Imperium the reverence he is due."
Saying this, Angelica lowered her arms.
"So, your purpose in coming to this ship was merely this?"
"I received another summons to resolve another matter of extreme urgency. I must leave Volistad immediately to deal with it."
An informal majesty rose upon her face. Soshyan guessed that no matter what she had been called away to do, it undoubtedly brought her a secret sense of pride.
"And then?"
"And then I wish to issue a formal request to you and your Chapter, hoping for your presence in the upcoming operation."
Soshyan frowned. She was still very young; perhaps she wasn't even clear on what she was asking for.
"That is impossible."
The Chapter Master of the Astral Knights shook his head and said:
"Our mission on Volistad is complete. The Chapter has its own plans moving forward. We are in dire need of replenishing our recruits."
"I know this request is highly unreasonable."
Angelica admitted:
"And I also know the Astral Knights Chapter is currently in a terrible situation. Your Monastery-Fortress has been confiscated, and you've lost the vast majority of your recruiting worlds."
"You should have your own team to carry out missions. We are the ultimate weapon, only deployed when absolutely necessary. So what is this mission that requires our assistance?"
"I apologize, but I cannot say."
"Then there is nothing I can do to help. I cannot commit my Chapter to an unknown mission."
"If you agree, I will tell you."
She astutely corrected herself.
"I actually could say it now, but I won't. At least not until I am more certain of the details of this operation."
Just like that, Soshyan found himself suddenly curious.
"You don't even know the mission details yourself?"
"It's classified protocol."
Once again, pride flashed in her words; she felt honored and delighted to be summoned for an event so crucial.
"So I hope you won't refuse me."
"Where is the operational zone this time?"
"The Armageddon System."
This name gave Soshyan pause, but ultimately, he still shook his head.
"Our next destination is Nathan IV. Taking Warp tides into consideration, traveling from the Segmentum Tempestus, where Nathan IV is located, to the Segmentum Solar, where Armageddon resides, would take two standard Terran months even under normal Warp navigation. Perhaps you could summon other Chapters nearby after you arrive."
Angelica frowned, a gesture that surprisingly made her look quite noble.
"But yours is the first Chapter I've encountered since receiving the summons."
"Our numbers don't even amount to a single Company."
The Inquisitor's brows furrowed deeply.
"I have this feeling... we call it a sixth sense. Do you know the term?"
"I know what it means, but we cannot simply throw the Chapter into your unpredictable endeavor just because you have some sort of premonition."
"Premonition."
She mulled over the word.
"Exactly, that's it."
Then, she nodded forcefully.
"I trust you. I trust this group of warriors of yours."
Soshyan nodded in a show of respect, hoping to ease the sting of his words.
"I am honored by the importance you place on us, Inquisitor. The Astral Knights Chapter is honored by the confidence you bestow upon us, and we hope we shall meet again in the future... But if I may speak frankly, we have other duties to attend to. By the time you approach other star systems, you will surely grant the Space Marines participating in your next mission that same equal trust and respect."
She narrowed her eyes, as if Soshyan had purposely said something unreasonable.
"Chapter Master Soshyan, are you always this formal?"
Soshyan felt that the other party truly loved asking strange questions.
"Yes, always."
"It's quite maddening, you know."
"I can only apologize."
Suddenly, she flashed another grin.
"Hard to believe. At first, I thought you'd be the easiest to persuade, but I was wrong."
Soshyan hadn't thought of that, nor could he see how it could possibly be true.
But thank the heavens, she didn't continue pestering him.
"Then, when you have drafted enough new blood, will you be able to answer my summons? Our mission might last a very long time—a year, perhaps even several years."
After mulling it over repeatedly, Soshyan nodded.
"If you still require our assistance at that time, my Chapter and I will consider answering your summons."
Angelica's eyes gleamed.
"Then I look forward to our next meeting, Chapter Master Soshyan."
After Angelica's shuttle departed the Starfire, Soshyan was finally certain that his business on Volistad concluded.
By the time he returned to the bridge, Sol was already waiting there.
"There is nothing else."
Soshyan said to his Chapter's instructor.
"But she had a request for us."
"Right now?"
A look of comprehension appeared in his pale eyes.
"What was her request?"
"She wishes for the Chapter to assist her with her next mission. But our primary goal now is to acquire new blood. We haven't added a single recruit since the World Engine Campaign."
Sol nodded.
"Since you have made your decision, then act according to your own thoughts."
Soshyan arrived at his command throne. Every officer and tech-adept on the bridge saluted him, while Brother Lothar stood by his side, hands resting on the pommel of his sword.
"Fleet destination: Nathan IV. Ignite Warp Engines!"
"Warp Engines pre-heating... ten, nine, eight, seven, six—"
Accompanied by the unique shudder of the warship terminating real-space transit, the massive cruiser and its escorting frigates collectively turned toward the void.
"...Two, one! Ignition!"
(End of Chapter)