40 Thousand Reasons

The Battle-Barge was named Bellus, which meant pretty or cheerful, in High Gothic. Also, a pun for war.

Their Brother-Captain Ideon was leading the 6th Company, and awaited me as the transport landed in their much larger battleship class barge.

"Lord Lancefire...we have been tricked by that corrupt warp-spawn of an Inquisitor." he began in a meek voice and fell to one knee.

Well, there were only Blood Angels around, and they too followed their Captain, with the Librarian visibly struggling to bend his knee in rage.

"I am not an Inquisitor, Astartes. Out in the Fringe, my Warrant as a Rogue Trader already says I speak with the Voice of the Emperor. But, I find a Rosetta very helpful when travelling the Imperium, filled as it is with treachery and corruption. Like today, for example." I announced in a loud voice, and waved them to their feet.

"So, the Exterminatus was just an empty threat? I would say it worked wonders." the man replied in a relieved voice, and stood straight again.

I just turned towards Ludvaius. "He knows me better."

"Captain Ideon. Lord Pef did enact Exterminatus on the Chapter-homeworld of the Scythes of the Emperor. And a few days ago, he killed Lorgar, the traitor. I have seen it myself." my bodyguard proclaimed proudly.

It did have an effect, as claiming valorous deeds by yourself was common among the Nobles of the Imperium. Having a Brother confirm it as a witness, was different. Especially a Veteran Sergeant.

The Captain nodded cautiously and went to examine their corrupted brother Arkio. Pustules of infected flesh were spreading along the spine, and the taint would be palpable to those with psyker powers. The Librarian shook his head in defeat, and signaled something with his fingers. No recovery possible, most likely.

"Oh, you idiot Arkio. What did you do?" the man lamented in a mourning voice, then his hand flashed, decapitating the sick Astartes and ending his suffering. "May the Emperor grant him Mercy."

"Back to your posts, Astartes! Don't just stare like it's a pict show. You will all die one day, and probably in worse ways." I shouted pointing at the gawking spectators.

Now it worked, and the lower ranks rushed away inside the Barge.

"I will cremate the remains. Too bad about the geneseed." the Librarian spoke gently and gathered the deceased marine and left with him.

I waited till it was only me and Ideon, who cleaned his power sword while murmuring prayers.

"Take me to the bridge, Captain. We have a Forge World to save, and my fleet spent all munitions already." I demanded after a polite minute.

The Captain nodded and took the lead. "Those destroyers of yours...they seem very potent for such small vessels."

We entered an elevator that should take us to the bridge deck.

"I lost one Los Angeles destroyer already. But the sacrifice has been well paid, I'd say. Two minor Chaos fleets, plus that Primarch and an Enslaver." I admitted with a heavy heart.

In truth, most of my losses have been to Chaos, both ships and family members, with the largest casualties at Estaban. They were indeed the Great Enemy.

"Not so minor fleets, Captain Ideon. A dozen Universe conveyors filled with troops and a battleship with its escort group. A thousand times the mass of Lord Pef's fleet was sunk, in a few days." Ludvaius explained after a snort.

The Astartes Captain focused on me with new eyes. "I have heard of your fantastic exploits, though nothing solid. You always seem to appear at the worst time then vanish again."

I smiled and shrugged. It was my intention after all. "The Navy doesn't like being proved idiots, and they always try to confiscate my ships. Not to mention the Astartes, who always want to injure me, for some unknown reason. The Adepta Sororitas also chase me, and now an Inquisitor. I fear I ruined some carefully planned plots with my mere presence."

Ludvaius chuckled and leaned on the elevator's wall and just nodded at his Captain. "All true. The Chaplain of those Scythes even punched him in the jaw. Took him a few months of bed time to recover."

"Might be your Blank aura, Lord Lancefire. Psykers are rather annoyed by that." The Blood Angels Captain mused to himself.

I nodded wisely. Probably so. Or I was just annoying.

Soon we reached the bridge, the door guarded by a few Sanguinary Guards, with golden power armor.

I just walked ahead and sat in the Captain's chair, linking my mind to the throne controls of the battle-barge. The Machine Spirit was ancient and loyal, and rather surprised at my inopportune visit and usurpation. But I trusted my luck and the genes gifted by the Sanguinor. If I could wield that sacred spear, which should have annihilated an unworthy carrier, then a simple warship couldn't be so tough.

I was wrong.

I mean, right...because I lived. But the pain and resistance from the Spirit was a thousand times stronger than even the Canticle. 'Calm down Bellus. We have a mission, and I have a Rosette with me. Don't make me use it on you.' I sent towards the angry Spirit. Slowly, the resistance ceased, and the ship's functions opened for me.

It must have taken only a second, even if the pain lasted years of subjective time.

"... Lord Lancefire... it's dangerous!" I heard the Captain yell in surprise.

"Ouch! A bit painful, like all Command Chairs. But not dangerous for me. Now let me see, what I can do with Bellus...torpedoes...over 500. Good enough. Batteries, bombardment cannons, fighters, dropships, drop pods. Oh well. At least the void shields are strong. We can use that." I commented while powering up the holoscreen and marking the Siege fleet by priorities.

Two enemy battleships, 9 cruisers, 30 destroyers. Should be easy.

A decent fleet, but I had a battleship of my own now. On loan.

"Wentian, I'll have the Bellus close in for torpedo transfer. Have the Sentinels ready to assist with logistics." I voxed towards the Canticle. Then I switched channel to the escorts. "Jorvis, bring the destroyers about and line the up for reload. Corvettes, pattern Omicron and auguries to full."

Then I proceeded to do so, carefully balancing vectors to perform the docking maneuver, without breaking the fragile eggs inside.

"I take it you will remain on the Bellus for now, Captain?" I heard Thrasius ask in a suspicious voice.

I thought for a moment then glanced at the Astartes Captain. "I think I will, Thrasius. These flesh-eating cannibals might not follow orders again, and ruin my awesome battle plan. Then, I might lose a battle. Can you imagine that?" I asked rhetorically.

Thrasius laughed as if I said a good joke. "I'll safeguard the bridge here. The Emperor protects!"

"... We're not cannibals." I heard a meek voice from Ideon, while the bridge crew stared at me with concern and anger.

I waved his fake and untrue complaint away. They did just eat a man's brain, only an hour ago.

"Quiet on the bridge! I'm working here." I demanded in a command voice.

The bridge fell silent, as I focused on the delicate piloting of a battleship, only with my weak brain and the savant implants.

About an hour later, the lumbering battle barge finally matched vectors and docked with the Canticle, so I stood up and stretched my tense back.

"Torpedo armory next." I demanded in a flat tone. Captain Ideon grunted and took the lead again, while Ludvaius grinned and held his thumb up for success.

On the elevator, the Astartes glared at me for a whole minute. "The Bellus is gene-coded for the Blood Angels Chapter. Even with that Rosette, you shouldn't be able to control the Machine Spirit."

"I know, right? Must be a miracle from the Emperor." I explained with a careless shrug.

"It's more than that. Our astropaths contacted Lord Commander Dante on Baal. We were ordered to guard your life at all cost." he wondered in a doubtful tone.

They were? Perfect!

"I'll hold you to that, Astartes. Brother Ludvaius keeps trying, but a barge and this Astartes company around me would work better. I keep getting in trouble, for no reason at all." I complained in a meeker voice.

Ludvaius just nodded. "You shouldn't kick a World Eater in the balls next time, Captain. Or any space marine. Nor punch one in the face. And you need better armor and weapons." my bodyguard advised me seriously.

I sighed in defeat. "I'll get better, I promise." I murmured softly.

Just needed to finish the slow transition to my new body.