In the deepest reaches of the unknown Warp tides.
The immense malice from the great powers of Chaos washed over a black holy vessel like a torrent.
At the stern of the vessel, a huge banner hung, inscribed and depicted with an ancient wolf beast on The Hunt, its sharp fangs wide open, its eyes dotted with crimson blood.
In the Imperium of Man, a strike cruiser like this could accommodate an entire Astartes battle company, including the necessary Thunderhawk gunships, drop pods, aerial gunboats, Rhino transports, and other such vehicles, enough to handle most battlefields.
The strike capability of the cruiser itself was also sufficient to deal with many enemies that the mortal Astra Militarum could not handle.
But... this strike cruiser was now scarred, its side armor clearly bearing the remnants of a melta breach, several huge holes indicating that it had recently endured a fierce battle!
Just a few hours ago, this strike cruiser, which was supposed to go to a certain part of the Murky Sector to suppress a local rebellion, was ambushed by a renegade Chaos Astartes warband after entering the Warp. In the extremely fierce boarding action, although they successfully defeated those damned heretics, the vessel was severely damaged and urgently needed repairs and resupply!
Inside the command room of the strike cruiser, several tall, strong Astartes, clad in heavy battle armor, gathered together, discussing how to escape their current predicament.
"Captain, we must leave the Warp as soon as possible..."
The Chaplain's voice was muffled as he broke the silence, his gaze falling on the Captain: "Several Rooms of the cruiser are damaged, and we need resupply and repairs."
"How many battle brothers did we lose?"
Captain Albert Amos, who held command authority on this strike cruiser, was not wearing his helmet. The three golden studs embedded above his left eyebrow gleamed faintly in the dim light.
He frowned, asking the question he was most concerned about.
"27 battle brothers..."
The Chaplain's tone became much sadder.
A sudden engagement resulted in twenty-seven of their battle brothers, who had been together day and night, falling in battle and returning to the Allfather's Golden Throne.
It should be known that the entire battle company numbered only about a hundred men. Losing one-fifth in a single battle was an unbearable burden for an Astartes Chapter!
Let alone... their battle company!
The entire lower passage was strewn with blood and dismembered limbs, and even minced flesh smeared on the walls that could only be scraped off, all testifying to the ferocity of the battle!
"Twenty-seven men..."
A surge of anger appeared on Albert's brow. He clenched his fist, his voice like bitter cold, causing the temperature of the entire room to drop significantly: "Russ above, we must incinerate those heretics, bring down the wrath of the Allfather and Russ upon them, and make them experience what true fear is, deep within their hearts and souls!!!"
"I understand your feelings, but... we need supplies, and the Warp storm is getting worse. If we continue the pursuit..."
As the Chapter's Chaplain, he felt it necessary to remind the Captain of their current predicament. If they continued the pursuit, it was highly likely that the entire battle company would disappear into the turbulent Warp!
The counsel somewhat extinguished the anger in Captain Albert's heart, but he still felt unwilling.
Although they had repelled the Chaos Astartes warband, they had not annihilated them completely. A significant portion of the Chaos Astartes had ultimately escaped.
It was truly difficult for him to swallow this indignity!
But, Albert, considering his company brothers, could only reluctantly nod in agreement with the Chaplain's suggestion: "Alright, find a stable route and immediately exit the Warp. Head to the nearest Mandeville Point for repairs and resupply. As for those damned heretics... I swear, next time we meet, I will personally chop off their heads!"
"We will, in the name of Russ."
The Chaplain breathed a slight sigh of relief, knowing full well that convincing this stubborn Captain was by no means an easy task, especially... after such heavy losses.
Revenge was this Captain's creed!
He still remembered the last time, within the Imperium's borders, when they were ordered to support an industrial world overrun by Tyranids. Because he was inadvertently slashed by an enemy Hive Tyrant, the Captain pursued the creature through the vast swarm, painstakingly chopping the Hive Tyrant into fine pieces.
Of course, the consequence of doing so was being deeply surrounded by the swarm. Fortunately, several Ironclad Dreadnoughts were deployed at the time, which managed to rescue Albert from the swarm.
Looking at Albert, who was in a deep coma and severely wounded, just as the Chapter Master began to consider whether to throw him into a 'Dreadnought,' Albert woke up.
Everyone was happy.
Otherwise, the Chaplain truly didn't know if Albert woke up and found himself stuffed into a 'Dreadnought,' whether he would tear them all apart, including the Chapter Master!
"A safe passage has been found, Captain."
At this moment, the pilot said in a muffled voice.
"That fast?"
Albert was somewhat shocked. This was the core area of a Warp storm. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't have subsided so quickly. Even finding a safe passage should take at least several days or months.
But... looking at the displayed screen, in the turbulent Warp storm, as if influenced by some power, a stable passage was indeed 'divided' out!
"It's the Allfather, it must be the Allfather protecting us!"
Seeing this, the Chaplain offered a devout praise: "Thanks be to the great Allfather, thanks be to Russ!"
After all, to manifest such a miracle in such a raging Warp storm, like Moses parting the sea, splitting the storm in the middle, no one but the great Lord of Man could accomplish it!
"Praise the Allfather!"
Albert's joy was evident. He immediately issued the order: "Immediately proceed to the nearest 'Mandeville Point'!"
The massive strike cruiser, dragging its severely damaged hull, entered the stable, safe passage amidst the furious Warp tides!
The Warp currents on both sides grew increasingly turbulent!
It was as if they wanted to prevent their departure, and even the power maintaining the passage seemed to be faltering under the surging currents, as if it would collapse at any moment!
"Quick! Accelerate!"
Albert was somewhat anxious. If the passage went wrong, they would be completely trapped in the terrifying Warp storm, eventually losing their way.
Finally.
Amidst violent tremors, they exited the Warp!
The dark and profound universe reappeared before their eyes. Closing the Gellar Field and opening the deck room, Albert took a deep breath, relaxing slightly.
He then turned to the pilot: "Report coordinates, bearing, and the nearest Hive world."
However, the pilot was somewhat shocked, staring at the position on the screen, completely dumbfounded, and did not respond for a long time.
Albert frowned slightly, his tone growing a bit sterner: "What are you spacing out for? Quickly report our coordinates and the nearest Hive world!"
Hearing the Captain's somewhat stern voice, the pilot finally recovered from his shock. He swallowed: "Captain, we... seem to be in the Murky Sector."
"What did you say?!"
Albert's pupils contracted slightly, shocked: "Wasn't it the Far East Sector? How could we be in the Murky Sector!"
They were heading to the Far East Sector for a suppression mission. How did they end up in the Murky Sector after one trip through the Warp?
"Captain, the nearest resupply point... has a rebellion. There's a distress signal from a star message. The target is... the Roselle Hive world in the Nachmund Corridor region."
The pilot checked the star chart and quickly confirmed the location.
"Roselle Hive world?"
Albert frowned slightly, then seemed to think of something, his eyes suddenly narrowing: "Rebellion, Warp storm... Could it be the Allfather's guidance to us?"