The Thunderhawk's return journey was relatively smooth, with no damned void monsters intercepting them.
Additionally, the Unyielding was practically running at full throttle, sailing forward at maximum speed.
Captain Peru closely monitored the movements of all intercepting fleets.
Among the five intercepting fleets, two possessed battlecruisers: the Invincible-class high-speed battlecruiser led by Vice Admiral Samuel Hood, General Alexander Hood's elder brother, and the Apocalypse-class battlecruiser led by old Admiral Rodney.
However, even for the Invincible-class high-speed battlecruiser, its speed was slightly slower than a cruiser, not to mention the Apocalypse-class battlecruiser.
Besides Commodore Peru's Unyielding battle group, the only ones who could arrive first were the pure cruiser squadron commanded by Chapter Master Elphinstone.
The Lieutenant Commander also launched all of the fleet's Shark Assault Boats for a one-time assault.
Everyone was desperately trying to rescue this extremely important asset of the Imperial Navy—the Retribution-class Battleship.
As of today, the entire Gothic Fleet only had three retribution-class battlecruisers in total: one was the Cardinal Boras, one was the Blood Hawk, and one was the Sacred Will.
These three ancient vessels, each over a thousand years old and having participated in the Gothic War, were the undisputed capital ships of the Gothic Fleet.
Losing the Sacred Will among them would not only cause significant losses to the Imperial Navy but also nail the Gothic Fleet to the pillar of shame, never to recover.
The Thunderhawk Gunship landed on the Unyielding's docking platform.
Mr. Horatio, accompanied by Farida and a group of Blood Angels, rushed to the command bridge.
"Sir, the document has been brought back," Mr. Horatio saluted the Commodore.
"God Emperor! Thank the God Emperor." The Commodore was sweating profusely: "How is Vice Admiral Hood doing?"
"Barely maintaining the situation, Sir. We need to speed up."
Mr. Horatio reported with a grim face: "Furthermore, I believe this mutiny was not initiated by the Sailors themselves."
"What makes you say that?" Mr. Horatio's words stirred the sensitivity of this former Inquisition acolyte.
"There were no signs of collusion in the mutineers' plans, and their consciousness was very strange.
Their eyes were bloodshot, and there was white foam at the corners of their mouths, looking like they were having an epileptic seizure. Even when injured, they continued to attack relentlessly."
Commodore Peru carefully pondered Mr. Horatio's report.
"Are you saying that this mutiny was caused by a cult, usurping the reason of these Sailors?"
Commodore Peru had roamed the stars for half his life and, with his Inquisitor friend, had witnessed many unimaginably strange things.
Therefore, he would not directly deny anything that had not been clearly investigated and disproven.
"I believe so, Commodore. When Miss Hood and I escaped from the cult's lair, the enemies who rushed at us also had the same symptoms."
"Then this document in your hand will be very important."
Commodore Peru used a neural plug to open the adamantium safe next to the throne, which only he had the authority to open.
It was filled with top-secret documents from the Fleet Security Committee, allowing Commodore Peru to handle some confidential matters even when at sea.
Mr. Horatio personally placed the document inside and locked it.
"No one is allowed to approach this adamantium safe without permission!" The Commodore ordered the battlecruiser's guard Soldiers beside him.
"Understood!"
"Before returning to Abyss Port, please allow us to guard it together. Our Blood Angels Chapter will assist the Imperial Navy in thoroughly investigating this matter." The Blood Angels' Deputy Company Commander said to Commodore Peru.
Just now, Captain Afiel received approval from Chapter Master Dante to stay in Abyss Port for a period of time to help the Imperial Navy resolve this conspiracy.
It was also to repay the Gothic Fleet for assisting the Blood Angels in slaying their enemies.
Moreover, after some negotiation and maneuvering by Captain Afiel.
It is reported that the Ultramarines Chapter and the Salamanders Chapter have also dispatched their nearest units to Abyss Port to receive the two important battle brothers rescued by the Blood Angels.
In a few days, when the sub-fleets of these two Space Marine parent Chapters arrive, they will naturally discover the serious chaos currently facing Abyss Port.
But whether they will be willing to lend a hand is unknown.
After all, Space Marine Chapters, especially the parent Chapters, are always very busy; their mission queues are fully booked, and there are countless battlefields in the galaxy that require their support.
Unless it is a high-priority matter, they will not interfere in internal Imperial unrest.
"Mr. Horatio, Miss Hood, please rest first. Leave the rest to us," Commodore Peru said to the two young people.
Then he looked at Farida and said earnestly: "Your father and I have been close friends for over twenty years. I will do my utmost, so please rest assured."
Farida pursed her lips and saluted the Captain solemnly.
"I want to stay on the bridge," she said. "In this situation, I can't rest at all."
"I agree, Commodore. I'll stay on the bridge with her." Mr. Horatio knew that without him by her side, the officers on the bridge would quickly vomit due to Farida's Untouchable trait.
"If you wish, please do," the Commodore gestured for them to proceed, then said to Mr. Horatio:
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Horatio, tomorrow an Inquisitor, who just arrived at Abyss Port, wants to summon you."
"An Inquisitor? Me?" Mr. Horatio's hairs stood on end the moment he heard the word 'Inquisitor'.
Having utilized this highest Imperial authority before, he knew the terrifying power and effectiveness of its reach.
Even Farida looked at the two of them in surprise, her worries deepening.
When an Inquisitor calls you in, everyone knows it means something has happened, and it's a big deal.
"Relax, the Inquisitor is summoning you only because you are an Inquisition acolyte. He needs to gather some information from you and assign you a very important task."
Mr. Horatio swallowed, forcing a wry smile: "So that's it. No problem."
After Commodore Peru explained his intentions, Mr. Horatio felt a little relieved, but only a little.
After all, Inquisitors are very complex; they often have extreme obsessions in certain areas, which they hold as sacred tenets and the only true path to save the Imperium, relentlessly pursuing it.
Even if it means sacrificing their own lives, or even hundreds of millions of lives, to validate the truth in their hearts.
This also meant that the Inquisition was destined to be a place filled with fanatics, and getting too deeply involved with them was not a good choice.
However, as an organization of 'God Emperor's Agent' founded by Malcador, its authority could still help him solve many problems.
He helps me, I help him; mutual exploitation is the optimal solution.
Farida walked to the command center below, looking at the massive bulletproof panoramic window at the front of the bridge and the dark, cold void outside, her worry for her father gradually permeating her entire heart like freezing ice.
Mr. Horatio sighed and stood beside her, looking out into the dark, deep void with her.
"Your father will be fine. Everyone is working hard to prevent things from escalating to the worst possible scenario."
At present, Mr. Horatio could only offer such comfort.
"...Mr. Horatio," Farida whispered weakly and listlessly.
"Hmm?"