Callex placed the slate down on the table and followed Ambrosius to the armory. It was still surreal to be gearing up this way—using the automated system Ratchet had designed for them. Ratchet’s innovation could equip or remove their sacred power armor in less than five minutes, an astounding feat when compared to the long rituals and benedictions the Adeptus Mechanicus performed before each battle. Even as Callex’s mind rebelled against this expediency, he couldn’t deny its practicality.
Ratchet’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “A.R.K. will fly in and maintain a distance of one point five light-second from what you call a Space Hulk,” he said, appearing at the doorway. “Arsenal and I will meet you at Hangar 07B with a ship to transport you to the target. Arsenal is already loading your gear.” With that, he left.
Callex watched him glide away, then glanced at Ambrosius. “It still feels strange to me, having these machines helping us so readily,” he murmured. “Almost as if they’re too willing.”
“I know what you mean,” Ambrosius replied, strapping on his gauntlet. “But we have to take all the help we can get. As long as they follow through, we’ll do the same.”
Callex nodded, lost in thought as memories surfaced. He and Ambrosius had discussed this very topic with A.R.K. just three weeks earlier.
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Three Weeks Ago – A.R.K.’s Command Core
“So, let me see if I understand this correctly,” Callex said, crossing his arms. “You’re appointing us as officers, and that’s because…?”
A.R.K.’s voice, calm and deep, reverberated throughout the command core. “Because you are the only ones aboard with military expertise, and this title allows you more freedom within my structure. To an extent, of course.”
“That makes sense,” Ambrosius conceded, “but you hardly know us. Where we come from, trust is something hard-earned. You seem to give it away freely.”
“Because we are alike,” A.R.K. replied.
The two Marines exchanged wary glances. “What do you mean by that?” Ambrosius asked.
“You said you are the defender of humanity...right?” A.R.K. said simply. “so if you are the defenders of humanity, then it is my duty to help you as the Portector of Mankind, for that is what i was build for.”
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Back to the Present
Callex shook his head as he stepped onto the hyper train. The whole conversation they had that day with A.R.K could surely give the adepyus administratum a run for its money. Beside him, Ambrosius watched him with a raised brow.
“Is something wrong?”
“Nothing.” Callex focused on the blur of tunnel walls and light flashing past the hyper train windows. These were perks they’d gained since becoming “officers” on A.R.K.—access to transportation and certain secure areas across this vast fortress. The first time they’d used the hyper train Guide had explain it as “a network of electromagnetic trains that cut travel time to a tenth.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
They arrived at Hangar 07B in minutes, where Arsenal and Ratchet awaited them beside a massive transport ship. The hulking vessel loomed before them, its steel-grey plating sleek yet scarred from battles they could only imagine.
“We’ve already loaded all equipment aboard,” Arsenal said as they approached. “This ship is called a Breacher," Ratchet says pointing to the ship," A standard boarding vessel from our internal storage.”
The Space Marines studied the ship, noting its resemblance to a Land Raider but far larger, devoid of tracks and equipped with powerful jet engines. It was a purpose-built juggernaut, optimized for boarding and breaching through hostile environments.
“Any updates on the Space Hulk?” Callex asked, his voice tense with anticipation.
Arsenal nodded as he floated up the ramp. “A.R.K. has completed a scan of the vessel. The signal’s origin is in the central region of the hulk. We’ve charted the best landing site to minimize resistance and get you as close to the source as possible.”
Callex nods in response. "Good, the less time we spend on that cursed ship the better."
Ratchet floated over, engaging the tactical display. “We’ve also determined that the signal is recent. Based on its degradation rate and power output, it’s no older than seven days.” a hologram of The Space Hulk with a blue little dot flashing near the central parts of The Space Hulk.
Both Marines shared a glance of surprise. Seven days? There was a chance—however slim—that survivors remained aboard.
“But A.R.K. uncovered something concerning,” Arsenal added, manipulating the display. Sections of the Space Hulk turned red on the holographic schematic, covering vast areas. “These areas indicate organic lifeforms...and then there's this." A live video of The Space Hulk comes up on one of the second screens, showing a grotesque organic growth on the outside of a large part of The Space Hulk.
Callex’s jaw clenched. “Tyranids.”
A sense of grim determination settled over them both. Tyranids were a scourge unlike any other—a relentless, consuming hive. The mere thought of confronting them was enough to stir an Astartes to heightened vigilance.
"I've loaded a little bit of everything that I think you'll find use for... but I have to admit that I have no knowledge of what you'll face so this is the best I can do." Arsenal says, pointing to a pile of boxes off to one side of the ship.
Ambrosius walks over to the boxes and starts looking through them. "Ammunition, extra magazine, grenades.. what is this?" Ambrosius holds up something that looks like a little white box with legs.
"That's an AutoDoc." replied Ratchet. “It can repair almost any kind of damage or keep someone with mortal damage alive for a while." Ratchet floats up to him, "To activate it place it on the patient and then press the red cross on the back of it."
A signal rang through the Hangar. "A.R.K has reached its position, we are ready for takeoff." Arsenal said and hovered over to a docking station together with Ratchet.
The ramp closed with a low hum, sealing them inside. Callex and Ambrosius makes a last minute check on their weapons and their gear before they buckled into their seats, Callex let the brief silence focus his mind as he felt the ship take off from the hangar.
“If there are any survivors,” he muttered, “we will bring them back. Or purge whatever remains.”