"This one isn't good, nor is that one. Next."
High-end noble clothing suppliers waited outside Miss Hood's door, carrying a dazzling array of gorgeous dresses, lined up from her boudoir to the mansion's exterior.
The blonde girl impatiently slid her finger, the previous supplier left with a mournful face, and the next one arrived beaming.
"This isn't good either, change it." Farida sighed deeply, crossed her arms, and plopped onto the sofa:
"What is Horatio doing all day? He's not even at the Academy. Really, he wouldn't have run off to mess around again, would he? Valina, what do you think?"
After leaving the Adeptus Arbites, her Father said he wanted her to serve the Fleet Security Committee, but even today, she hadn't been assigned a single mission.
Fearing for her safety, her Father wouldn't let her go out, keeping her cooped up at home every day, far from the bustling city. She always felt uncomfortable.
"Miss, he was in quarantine before. I heard they recaptured a fallen plague cruiser for the Imperial Navy, and he was promoted to Sergeant Major."
"Really?" Farida's eyes widened.
"Yes, my Father said so."
"Valina, you're amazing, truly worthy of being Lieutenant Commander Elphinstone's daughter! Your sources are so extensive. So, when does his quarantine end?" The girl regained her interest in selecting clothes.
"He's already out of the quarantine zone."
Farida examined a fitted dress primarily in black, adorned with red satin: "I want to try this one."
"This is very suitable for your shopping trips, Miss Hood," the supplier, wearing a gold-rimmed monocle, said with a fawning smile.
"Shopping trips…"
Farida raised a slender finger to her lower lip, her eyes darting as she thought of an idea: "Valina, tell my Father I'm so bored at home I'm getting depressed. I want to go shopping in the Upper Hive. The Upper Hive's Public Security is already good, but if he's still worried, just have Sergeant Major Horatio protect me personally."
—
"Sergeant Major, please recover well. We all look forward to your early return to duty." Horatio placed a bouquet of alien flowers, shaped like lilies, and noble convalescent Solace in front of Valina's hospital bed.
"You've become quite capable, kid. Skipping ranks from Corporal to Sergeant Major, even an Ork rocket couldn't make you jump that high." Valina's right arm was bandaged, with special muscle repair gel underneath. She sat on the bed, lit a cigarette, examined Horatio's Sergeant Major insignia, and then exhaled a long puff of smoke.
"It came from an exam. I still need to experience more real combat tests," Horatio smiled.
The female Sergeant Major looked up at the sky, a self-deprecating sneer on her lips: "Take good care of your subordinates. Don't be like me and let them all die."
"Yes, Sergeant Major." Horatio solemnly gave her an aquila salute.
"Sergeant Major Horatio." As he walked out of the ward, he heard a clear, gentle female voice.
"The products you provided have passed the double inspection of the Navy and the Nun Order. The Great Sister has allowed this factory to first supply medical aid products to the Navy Medical Sector. If the effect is good, the procurement plan will be continued later." Sister Arabella smiled, her eyes looking very tired from continuously aiding the wounded for 72 hours.
"Thank you, Sister Arabella." Horatio saluted the Sister.
"Hey! Young man!" Suddenly a voice came, and Horatio turned to see it was the Bread seller.
"Oh, I never thought you were an Imperial Navy serviceman. I received your grace last time; you saved my life. Are you hungry? Here's some freshly baked white bread."
"This gentleman is a Bread seller. After I helped him last time, he voluntarily joined our relief team and often bakes bread for us to distribute to the poor."
"Give it to the Sister; she works harder than I do."
Horatio smiled, leading the Bread seller to the Sister: "Farewell, I still have matters to attend to."
"Sergeant Major, you truly are…" Sister Arabella smiled shyly and gracefully.
Horatio smiled and gave her a nod of his head, then left the Navy Medical Sector.
Having resolved the sales channel issue for the Labor Gang's products, there shouldn't be any more problems with the long-term maintenance of the intelligence network. He needed to go see Father Lati.
"Oh~ Mr. Horatio, this thing you provided seems to be very interesting." Father Lati magnified the bionic eye to microscope mode.
"I got it from a rogue Adeptus Mechanicus Servitor. What is it?" Horatio lay naked on the surgical altar. Father Lati monitored his body enhancement parameters and maintained his prosthetics after the fierce battle with Nurgle, cleaning any lingering filth.
He had conducted a strict background check on Father Lati, finding him to be excellent, even a genius, and no issues were discovered, which put him at ease.
"On the surface, it looks like a liquid, but in reality… these are countless nanobots. I will conduct further research later."
"Thanks." After the maintenance, Horatio sat up, and a Servitor began to dress him in his military uniform.
He looked at the soulless Servitor in front of him, no longer feeling the initial revulsion caused by the uncanny valley.
"+ Sergeant Major Horatio. +" Rear Admiral Hood suddenly transmitted.
"+ Lord Donatos Afell, Company Commander of the Blood Angels Second Company, invites you aboard the Chapter Strike cruiser +"
"+ Understood +" Horatio buttoned his uniform and smoothed the medals on his chest.
"You are truly a busy man, Mr. Horatio." Father Lati extended her hand with a smile.
"Farewell, Madam." Horatio chuckled, lifted her hand, and bowed politely, kissing it.
—
The "Avenging Blade" battlecruiser was moored in the largest Starport dock in Abyss Port, directly below the Gothic Sector Navy Department and the Bishop's Cathedral. The Loyalist Academy was also nearby.
Horatio looked through the porthole and saw the colossal vessel. She was entirely crimson, with the Blood Angels symbol inlaid on her hull, stretching eleven to twelve kilometers. Her front had an enormous hangar, with countless aircraft busily moving in and out.
As she was not designed for void combat, the battlecruiser's firepower was inferior to an Imperial Navy battlecruiser of the same tonnage. Moreover, her massive size made her less maneuverable.
However, her Void Shields and armor were extremely thick, allowing the Blood Angels to be delivered directly to the enemy ship's face for boarding actions. And the row of massive Macro cannons on her side provided good counter-fire against large enemy warships.
This behemoth had just returned from conquering the Emperor's enemies and was now in dire need of resupply.
To feed such a colossal vessel would take at least three weeks. Slave laborers, Fathers, supply crew, and recruiting officers worked tirelessly day and night to inspect, maintain, resupply, and replenish new Chapter serfs in every corner of her.
Horatio arrived at the corridor connecting to the Avenging Blade's bridge. Six Blood Angels guarded the passage.
He wore a crisp military uniform, with two brand-new medals of honor dangling on his left chest.
After stating his purpose, a Blood Angels Sergeant with a golden Skyhawk pauldron on his left shoulder led Horatio into this 'palace.'
Yes, it was a palace.
It was resplendent and magnificent, with walls and ceilings adorned in deep crimson and gold. The central part depicted the glorious combat achievements of the Blood Angels Chapter since 30K.
Plaster statues of Sanguinius were neatly arranged, and aesthetically pleasing decorations were placed behind deep crimson velvet drapes. These were all handcrafted by the Blood Angels themselves.
Horatio walked on the deep crimson carpet, his eyes overwhelmed.
The corridor was very spacious; several Space Marines could walk abreast without feeling crowded. Horatio had never seen so many Space Marines before.
The off-duty Blood Angels wore only their power armor, without helmets. They were all golden-haired, muscular handsome men, eloquent, graceful in demeanor, and noble in temperament, making it difficult to associate them with the savage beasts that fought on warships.
In addition, there were many ordinary mortals walking around, some were warship officers, some were technical personnel, and he even saw busy captains. These mortals who served the Chapter were collectively called Chapter serfs, just like Inquisition acolytes. They were screened and recruited by the Chapter to serve the Chapter and the Emperor.
He passed a lounge where the red curtains were not drawn. He saw the Blood Angels inside mixing blood with fine wine to create a mixed drink called 'Kalash.'
This blood was voluntarily donated by the Chapter serfs; these men and women who served the Chapter considered it an honor for the Blood Angels to drink their blood.
To maintain their condition, Blood Angels must regularly consume fresh blood, otherwise, they would grow fangs like vampires and become ugly and terrifying.
Horatio turned his face and continued walking forward.
The Sergeant led him to a larger lounge, where he saw the man he had once seen in illustrations—Donatos Afell, Company Commander of the Blood Angels Second Company.
The Company Commander had neat short hair, and a long scar ran across his forehead, through his right eye, down to his cheek.
On either side of him were two sword-wielding veterans, and on the table, a rectangular box was covered with deep crimson satin.
"Sir, Imperial Navy Sergeant Major Horatio Kirkland reporting to you!" Horatio stood outside the lounge, solemnly saluting the tall man in front of him.
"Come in, Sergeant Major Horatio." The man's expression was solemn and grave. Seeing Horatio approach, he slightly puffed out his chest.
"Sir, why have you summoned me?"
"One of our brothers, Roman Roland, wishes to thank you for fighting alongside him and hopes to bestow upon you his Holy Blood Chainsword."
The golden-helmeted veteran on one side pulled back the deep crimson curtain, revealing an exquisite steel sword case inlaid with the Blood Angels symbol.
The high gothic on the banner of the sword case was the name of this sword—'Spotless Angels Scourge'
"Such a valuable gift, I am truly unworthy of it," Horatio said with a bitter smile, somewhat overwhelmed.
"He is currently in stasis for recovery and thus cannot come personally. I have approved his wish; accept it. Although it is not a master-crafted Chainsword, and the machine soul's response is slightly sluggish, it represents the friendship of us Sons of Sanguinius."
Horatio's eyes involuntarily widened. It had been a long time since he had shown such an astonished expression.
It was very rare for Space Marines to give gifts to mortals, as most people did not receive such recognition, and those who did usually died.
Since the Company Commander of the Second Company said so, it would be impolite to refuse again.
"Thank you, Sir." Horatio bowed respectfully.
The veteran beside him picked up the sword case and placed it in his hands.
[It's heavy.] Horatio forced a bitter smile, but his heart was extremely excited and happy.
[But when I used it, the machine soul wasn't sluggish at all? On the contrary, it was overly active… Could it be because the machine soul favored me?] Horatio thought.
"To commemorate the victory of this battle, and to celebrate the Emperor's enemy's plot being thwarted once again, does the Sergeant Major have time to join us for a banquet?"
"It would be an honor!"