Bang! Bang!
The muzzle flashes of boltguns occasionally illuminated the dark corridor.
The green visors of the Blood Angels pierced through the darkness, guiding their way.
Horatio, a Hellspawn, also had no fear of the dark; darkness was the best cover for their movements.
He noticed that as they approached the Sacred Will battlecruiser, the number of mutinous Sailors rushing at them became increasingly dense.
"Please wait a moment."
Horatio crouched down and removed the helmet of a mutinous Sailor.
This dead man, who was not wearing the 'Military Police' fluorescent mark, had bled to death from broken legs caused by a combat shotgun.
He was perfect for a simple autopsy.
The Blood Angels Vice Captain turned on the light on the helmet to illuminate for him, while other battle brothers stood guard nearby.
The corpse was pale from blood loss.
The whites of his eyes were red and bloodshot.
There was white foam at the corners of his mouth, consistent with a convulsive reaction.
There were no blasphemous marks on his body.
Strangely, he had not bandaged his wounds after being injured, and the hemostatic gel and emergency medicine on his person were untouched.
It was as if he had no idea he was carrying these first aid supplies.
However, every Navy Sailor was systematically trained in the single-person emergency use of every distributed medical supply.
This Sailor had been crawling towards the bridge, leaving a long trail of blood, as if unafraid of pain or death, determined to reach the bridge.
"Farida, do you remember when we were on the shuttle platform?"
"Those Cultist, who were originally afraid, suddenly didn't care about anything and charged at us," Farida said, looking into Horatio's eyes.
Horatio nodded: "I was in close-quarters combat with these guys at the time, and from a very close distance, I saw their eyes were also bloodshot like this, and there was white foam at the corners of their mouths."
"Are you saying..." Farida covered her mouth in surprise.
"Exactly, I suspect this mutiny is inextricably linked to the hedonistic cultists. These Sailors are not dissatisfied with the Imperium or your father."
Although there were many suspicious points, Horatio had no time or conditions for a deeper examination.
"Let's go. We must obtain that top-secret document from Admiral Hood. Whether the whole truth can be revealed, the contents of that briefcase might play a crucial role."
Farida nodded, bit her lip, and assumed a combat stance.
"Thank you, Vice Captain, Roman Roland, let's continue our journey."
The Blood Angels nodded slightly and reformed their marching formation.
The closer they got to the bridge, the more intense the attacks became.
If it weren't for the Blood Angels escorting them, even if Horatio had brought a boarding party, they would have had to fight for a long time.
"Above is the command center. Be careful, it's a mess in there," the Captain of Navigation warned: "I'll only take you this far; the docking station still needs me."
"Thank you, Captain, please be careful." Horatio and the Captain saluted each other, then went about their respective duties.
"We go first." The Blood Angels Vice Captain stepped onto the gangway.
As soon as he stepped onto the platform, a power axe swung towards his head.
The Vice Captain grasped the axe handle, raised his hand, and pulled the trigger of his boltgun, blasting the mutinous axeman into fragments.
The brothers behind him seized the time the Vice Captain had bought, streaming out from the gangway and into the command platform.
"Go." Roman Roland used his keen senses to seize the opportunity, blocking Horatio's path and escorting him and Farida up.
"God Emperor..."
Horatio stood on the command platform, seeing only the violent struggle between people.
The red-clad General's Guard, along with Armed Voidsmen-at-Arms bearing Military Police tags, were fighting the mutineers.
Even the command staff had suffered more than half casualties in this conflict. Even if the mutiny was quelled, the Sacred Will would need to return to port for overhaul and extensive re-manning.
Admiral Hood stood firm on the command throne, keeping the entire battlecruiser operational.
His eagle-like sharp eyes spotted the young man below, and his beloved daughter.
"Come quickly!"
The current emergency did not allow him any comfort or emotion.
Just like his authoritative rank as Admiral, he issued commands to the two as a stern General.
Horatio pulled Farida, and they quickly rushed to the level of the command throne.
The Admiral saw the two holding hands.
Though expressionless, he let out a soft snort.
"Acting Lieutenant Horatio Cochrane of the Unyielding reports to you, Admiral!"
"Midshipman Farida Hood of the Unyielding, reports to..." Farida bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.
Seeing her father was safe, the girl could no longer suppress her emotions, weeping with joy.
"What are you crying for?! Is this how you serve the God Emperor in your Navy uniform?!"
Admiral Hood's merciless and stern reprimand startled Farida. She swallowed and then finished her report:
"Midshipman Farida Hood of the Unyielding reports to you, Admiral!"
Admiral Hood snorted coldly, then looked at Horatio, his eyes full of favor.
"It's a pity we don't have time to catch up like last time you visited my residence. I'm sure you've experienced many interesting things."
The Admiral looked at the red-clad Captain of the Guard, signaling him to come over.
The Captain held a heavy leather briefcase. He stepped forward and presented the briefcase with both hands.
"Inside here are the top-secret documents to be handed over to Peru. Listen, not a single page of this document must be damaged. It contains very important information."
"Understood, Admiral." Horatio took it with both hands. Such a large bag was truly inconvenient to carry in combat.
If a single laser blast hit the briefcase, all the consecrated parchment inside could be incinerated.
"Farida." The Admiral looked at his daughter.
"Yes, Father." Farida composed herself, putting on a strong facade.
"You have reached an age where you should stand on your own. No matter how rugged and winding the road ahead, you must steadfastly uphold your resolve to serve the God Emperor. I do not wish to see you cry again; you must become a strong warrior of the God Emperor."
"Yes! Father... ah, no, Admiral!" Farida's answer seemed firm, but was actually a little timid.
She revered her father. This feeling was complex. She didn't have many people left to cherish, and she was afraid that, as in the prophecy, her already fragmented family would be left with only her, alone and adrift in the world.
"Mr. Horatio." Admiral Hood uncharacteristically changed his address, as if an elder was speaking to a junior.
"Please speak, General." Horatio sensed a heavy burden in Admiral Hood's tone.
"Farida is not yet mature enough, nor excellent enough.
But you, like your father, are young and promising, possessing both ability and talent. I wish to make a personal request, to ask you to help Farida in the future, to make her as outstanding and excellent as you are."
"Father..." Tears shimmered in Farida's eyes.