Chapter 45: Returning to the Scene
Deep within the Adeptus Mechanicus, inside ancient and solemn research institutes, Tech-Priests bustled through dimly lit corridors and towering shelves. Their goal was singular: to transport and protect precious STC devices and data.
STC devices, as the crystallization of ancient technology, held undeniable value and importance. The Tech-Priests, clad in specialized mechanical armor and wielding precise transport tools, moved with utmost caution.
In the conference room, the walls were inlaid with glowing metal plates, and the ceiling was adorned with complex, slowly rotating gears and transmission devices. At the center was a round table made of an unknown alloy, embedded with a large holographic projection screen displaying the strategic deployment of the Protector Army on Mars.
High-ranking officials from various factions of the Adeptus Mechanicus were gathered.
Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal squinted at the message from the Soul Drinkers. Though he understood every word, when put together, he couldn't make sense of it.
"Isn't this nonsense? How could Orks possibly listen to him? He's not an Ork!" one official said.
"Exactly! Exactly! If it were our people researching Ork technology..." another began.
"What's so good about Orks? I believe Land is better than them!" a third interjected.
"We're talking about how to deal with Orks right now. After all, there are still many STC technologies out there, and if they were destroyed, it would be a real catastrophe..." someone else added.
Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal looked at the constant bickering before him, feeling an immense headache. He even wished to re-establish the Adeptus Mechanicus!
"Everyone, stop arguing!" Kelbor-Hal roared in anger. "Prepare to activate the Warlord Titan. If we can't avoid STC damage, we'll just have to accept it."
"Perhaps Francis can handle it! The Soul Drinkers are monitoring his every move. We can see how it turns out," Kelbor-Hal said.
With that, they activated the holographic projection. They saw the Ork marked as Francis driving an Ork chariot, speeding around. Whether he encountered Orks or the Protector Army, Francis smashed them all to pieces!
The difference was, he only crashed into the leader of an Ork group, while he simply ignored and ran over the Protector Army.
"General, is he really an Imperial Primarch? Why do I feel like he's a blessed 'Ork Primarch'!" one official said.
Facing his colleague's question, Kelbor-Hal was silent for a long time, then managed to blurt out, "It should be fine!"
Everyone fell silent.
On the battlefield, Francis's Ork chariot, like a steel behemoth, charged wildly across the battlefield, crashing into everything. The vehicle was covered in various Ork totems and symbols, every detail revealing the pride and faith of their tribe.
The chariot's power came from two reactors salvaged from who knows where, and a massive turret was mounted on top, equipped with all sorts of weapons—from heavy machine guns to flamethrowers. Around the chariot, various sharp steel spikes and Ork skulls were hung.
After every victory, he would scatter a handful of Ork teeth.
As time passed, Francis's Orks grew in number, shouting "Waaagh" as they followed him.
Finally, they arrived at the front line of the war.
Ork Titans, covered in heavy armor and emblazoned with Ork totems and battle scars, wielded massive weapons like giant warhammers, jagged blades, or flame-spitting muzzles, shaking with every step.
The Ork Titans charged, their heavy footsteps like mountains moving towards the Adeptus Mechanicus Warlord Titans. Giant warhammers swung through the air, emitting deafening roars, attempting to shatter the Titan's armor.
However, the Adeptus Mechanicus Warlord Titans did not retreat. Relying on their sturdy armor and powerful firepower, they successfully resisted the Orks' attacks and began to counterattack. The roar of volcano cannons echoed through the sky, and massive fireballs erupted from the Titans' muzzles, instantly engulfing the Ork Titans in flames.
However, the Ork Titans were not easily defeated. With their tenacious vitality, they continued to charge towards the Adeptus Mechanicus Warlord Titans. Plasma annihilators released scorching light, tearing the Ork Titans' armor to shreds.
At this moment, Francis, who had grown to over ten meters tall, shouted, "Adeptus Mechanicus Titans, retreat immediately. I'm taking over here now!"
Unfortunately, the Adeptus Mechanicus Titans, seeing this, immediately screamed, "Holy crap! There's a giant Ork here that can talk. Everyone, quickly eliminate it!"
With that, more Titans charged towards Francis, drawing their guns and firing at him.
Francis stared in disbelief.
The Ork Titans on the side, however, charged over, smashing an opponent's gun barrel aside with a hammer and roaring at Francis, "Waaagh!"
"Waaagh!" Francis replied.
He immediately pounced on the Titan, violently tearing off its mechanical arm, and repeatedly pounded the Titan's body. Anyone attempting a sneak attack was immediately intercepted by other Ork Titans, and a chaotic brawl ensued.
Watching the Adeptus Mechanicus Titans dwindle in number, the people in front of the holographic projection suddenly said, "General, is Francis really reliable?"
Kelbor-Hal said nothing.
Now, they had dispatched more Titans, and Francis's Ork warship, the "Super Howitzer," had already been sent out. Several black and white Warlord Titans, carrying a pure black Ork warship, walked out.
Behind the Ork Titans, several Ork Warlords, over three meters tall, seeing Francis's enormous size, still wanted to fight. Unfortunately, the three-meter Orks were like little chicks in front of Francis. He pushed their foreheads, and they couldn't even reach him. A few solid punches, and they all quieted down.
"All you Gretchin over there, follow along. You're going too!" Francis commanded.
"Everyone on board! I'm taking you to fight the Primarch!" Francis shouted.
Francis stood on the Ork warship, rallying his Ork Boyz to board.
The Ork Boyz asked in confusion, "Boss, do you know what a Primarch is?"
"No idea. What's a Primarch? Can we eat it?" another Ork replied.
"Who cares, as long as there's a fight!" a third shouted. "Maybe we can even take a bite out of this Primarch!"
"Nonsense! If anyone's eating, it's me first!" another protested.
"I've already finished eating! I'm going to eat again!" a fifth declared.
The Orks started fighting amongst themselves as they talked, completely forgetting about boarding the ship.
Before long, all the Orks on Mars had boarded the warship, with some even having to add a large square box to the back of the vessel because there wasn't enough space.
With a whoosh, the Ork warship vanished from its spot.
In the conference room, a Tech-Priest walked in and saw a group of bewildered Adeptus Mechanicus high-ranking officials sitting there listlessly.
"The Warlord Titan has been activated. Should we release it?" the Tech-Priest asked.
"General, should Francis consider joining us?" one official said.
"How about we choose him as Warmaster? He seems reliable!" another suggested.
"Seconded!" a third agreed.
Kelbor-Hal said nothing.
This was the first time the Adeptus Mechanicus achieved full faction consensus in a year. When he personally witnessed Francis's entire process of unifying the Orks, Kelbor-Hal understood that some birds cannot be caged, especially Francis!
Meanwhile, on the battleship, Fabius spoke up. "Hmm, why do I feel like the Primarch is more affectionate towards Orks than he is towards you?"
"Are you really his successor chapter?" Fabius asked.
Fabius's words had barely left his mouth when he was stared down by countless knife-like eyes.
"What do you know! The Primarch has other tasks for us to do!" one Soul Drinker snapped.
"Of course we are his successor chapter!" another added.
Sarpedon raised his staff, looking as if he could crush the other's head in the next second.
"So, what are we supposed to do?" Fabius finally asked, mustering his courage.
"Go claim our Gloriana-class battleship, then bring the Primarch home!" Sarpedon said.
In the Warp, the Ork warship's radar system began to flash alarms, showing a large number of unidentified objects rapidly approaching from ahead.
Some had blood-red panels, burning eyes, and roaring mouths. Some bodies were often covered in rotting flesh, pustules, and ulcers. Some had many wings, eyes, and tentacles. Countless alluring daemons blocked their path.
Francis, seeing this, turned to the Ork Boyz and roared, "Someone's blocking the way. What should we do?"
"Charge through! Charge through!" the Orks roared back.
With that, Francis pressed all the buttons on the control panel, and the entire warship's engine emitted a terrifying roar, followed by Francis yelling, "Charge!"
"Roar, roar, roar!"
Countless Chaos daemons charged over, only to see a layer of green energy appear on the warship's surface. It rapidly accelerated, crushing all the daemons in its path before bursting through.
The daemons on both sides stared in confusion.
They stared blankly at the pulped flesh on the ground, which gradually reformed. Then they turned and chased the Ork warship.
The entire Ork warship was so fast that Francis couldn't even see the scenery before him. Only the constant crashing sounds from outside the warship told him it had traveled to many places.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the entire warship became much quieter, heading straight towards Isstvan V.
[End of Chapter]