"The No. 4 Macro cannon armed force suffered about 260 casualties, Sailors about 300, and contract workers a deficit of 442…
"The full clearance of all compartments should be completed in about 15 minutes."
"The issued weapon reserves have been collected. A list of damaged items has been compiled for your review, sir. Approximately 40 firearms are missing, and we will do our best to find them."
The Warrant Officers reported in an orderly fashion, one by one, according to the established sequence.
Behind Horatio, a servant knowledgeable in paperwork busily recorded the Warrant Officers' reports and summarized the data for Horatio, who was a Naval Officer.
"Handle them, gentlemen. Our work must not be sloppy."
Horatio picked up the sandwich in front of him, slowly took a bite, making sure he didn't swallow the Warrant Officers' words along with the sandwich.
The high-quality Grox tendon sausage was very much to his liking. With one bite, a rich meaty aroma filled the air, the meat was firm, and the tendons were springy.
Chewing carefully, the sweet, savory, and tender meat lingered on his lips and teeth, tasting delicious. Even the air exhaled from his nostrils carried this delightful meaty scent.
The best black-label Grox ham was a strategic reserve specifically supplied to nobles and Naval Officers.
It was said that the years these ham families had served officers and nobles were almost as long as from the Great Crusade to the present.
Just a thin slice condensed the traditional craftsmanship of the ham families over ten thousand years.
With a subtle hint of salt, the fresh meaty aroma of the premium ingredients, like champagne gushing out after being shaken, was immersive and left an endless aftertaste.
Paired with creamy mushroom soup, rich and savory, topped with ham bits, the taste instantly uplifted the spirit, dispelling the suppression brought by the intense battle, and served as an excellent mood regulator.
After tasting a single slice, Horatio finally took a large bite of the sandwich.
The sandwich, assembled by his instinctive pursuit of deliciousness, perfectly combined the sweetness of animal butter, the slightly toasted wheat aroma of freshly baked bread, and the subtly salty and elegant meat. It had rich layers of flavor and distinct textures, stimulating his appetite and making him feel pleasant.
But Horatio didn't plan to eat too much. The purpose of a light meal was to replenish energy, and eating too much might cause seasickness during the subsequent battle. If he threw it up, it would be a net loss.
Moreover, he had already noticed that the Warrant Officers were starting to feel uncomfortable with the aura emanating from Farida, who was an Untouchable.
They, who usually had large appetites, didn't eat much; only Horatio ate with relish.
After Farida ate a sandwich that Horatio had prepared for her, she was about seventy percent full, a perfectly suitable state.
[Hmm~ This guy really knows my taste, just right.]
She subtly curved her lips, gracefully wiping her mouth, planning to reapply her lip gloss when no one was around.
Horatio could tell that the sandwich he made himself was very much to her liking, and she was in a joyful mood now that she was full.
"Since everyone has eaten enough, let's conclude this meal report here. Please select some food to take back. From now on, we need to remain vigilant at our posts and be fully alert."
Horatio knew how to take care of his subordinates. Knowing that they hadn't eaten much and would surely be hungry later, he let them eat and pack to return to their posts.
"Understood! Thank you, sir!" The Warrant Officers saluted Horatio with reverence.
These seasoned Sailors, born in the void, were pure; if you treated them well and led them to victory, they would become a reliable backing.
Give them the respect and rewards they deserve, and they will be as simple and reliable as loyal hounds, willing to protect you with their lives.
Horatio nodded to them, then tidied his collar and stood before the command array.
The servants swiftly cleared away the tableware and tablecloths, while another group quickly cleaned up and lit incense, providing a clean and spacious command environment for the two Naval Officer.
Horatio quickly double-checked the consolidated figures recorded by the servants on paper.
After confirming their accuracy, he reported the Artillery Fort situation to the operations department and requested a deployment order for additional personnel and ammunition resupply.
He fulfilled his duties and also gestured to Farida, indicating what she needed to learn and pay attention to.
The brief communication report concluded.
"You are indeed an excellent Naval Officer, a good teacher," Farida whispered, standing beside him, the corners of her lips unconsciously curving into a graceful arc.
"Thank you for the compliment." Hearing Farida's sudden praise, Horatio chuckled softly, a smile on his face, as he looked at the observation viewport and spoke.
"Combat readiness rest will conclude in five minutes. All Naval Officer, please note the time. The patrolling commissar will conduct routine inspections of the rest status," Lieutenant Stirling's voice came from the sound array above.
Horatio's area of responsibility had every task fully implemented, so even if the patrolling commissar conducted a spot check, he would only receive a perfect score on his duty performance evaluation form.
Thump, thump.
Heavy footsteps came from outside.
[Astartes Monks footsteps?] Horatio was no stranger to this sound.
He turned to look at the side door of the command platform.
To the astonished gazes of countless Sailors and Navy Breachers, a squad of Blood Angel Astartes Monks walked to the port side's second Macro cannon command platform.
The mortals knelt one after another. For most of the mortals here, this was the first time in their lives they had seen the legendary Space Marine.
Many even thought they were just myths to boost Imperial morale.
The mortal crew members were both excited and fearful.
A few, interested in Space Marine legends, recognized the winged golden blood drop on their shoulder pads.
"God Emperor, it's His Blood Angel…" A Navy Breachers axe-man, kneeling on the ground, muttered in a trembling whisper.
"What?" The Voidsmen-at-Arms Officer asked softly.
"I've seen them before, they are Sanguinius's death angel…"
The eyes of the person next to him almost popped out.
Today was St. Giles Festival, and the sons of the great Primarch actually appeared before them.
A good omen! This was a great omen!
Many immediately knelt down to pray for blessings.
The Blood Angel strode past them and stood before the command platform.
"We are looking for Horatio Cochrane. A Naval Officer," a Blood Angel Sergeant called out inside.
"That's me." Horatio felt a bit surprised.
The Blood Angel would actually come specifically looking for him.
The people next to him were even more stunned.
These death angel of the Emperor… would actually come specifically for a mortal Naval Officer.
[Did their Naval Officer cause some trouble?] Someone speculated wildly.
The Navy Breachers serving as Horatio's guard knelt on the ground, looking at each other, not knowing what to do.
From among the Blood Angel, Roman Roland, a Roman Roland with his eyes covered by the black robe of the Sacred Rose, stepped forward.
"Roman Roland?"
Horatio was very surprised: "You're awake? How do you feel now?"
"Thanks to you, everything is well now." Roman Roland nodded in greeting to Horatio.
This gesture left the mortals next to them even more bewildered.
The demigod of the Emperor actually saluted a mortal???
Everyone on the Artillery Fort command platform who witnessed this scene had their worldview refreshed.
Horatio gave a wry smile, knowing that another wave of increasingly exaggerated rumors was likely to spread among the crew.
"We will be taking the Thunderhawk back to our battle barge. I wanted to express my gratitude to you before I leave. Is my Chainsword easy to use?"
"She is perfect, my lord." Horatio gave the Spotless Angels Scourge an extremely high rating.
Roman Roland smiled, his face handsome despite his eyes being covered.
"May she always be by your side on your future journeys, eradicating all enemies of the Imperium for you, brave warrior, Horatio Cochrane."
"And may your future always walk under the divine light of the Emperor and Sanguinius, my lord."
The two bid farewell to each other like close friends, their words and actions full of mutual respect.
Even Farida was shocked, her mouth agape, her gaze going back and forth between Horatio and the Blood Angel.
"Naval Officer Horatio… and the death angel of the Emperor are… friends???",
And the Naval Officer next to them were completely bewildered, in a state of stunned silence.
On this extraordinary St. Giles Festival, their worldviews were forcibly refreshed again and again.
---
On the damaged cobra-class frigate on the outermost alert.
"Captain, the combat readiness rest has been very effective. Thanks to God Emperor, the troops transported by the Unyielding have provided crucial support."
"Very good. Send a thank you to Commodore Peru." The female captain wiped the sweat from her face, sighing with lingering fear, and had a ship attendant hand her a glass of wine to moisten her throat.
The wine was still in her throat when the Warrant Officer serving as Astropath suddenly shouted.
"Captain, Warp fluctuations detected! Readings are surging! God Emperor… This is… a Warp jump!!"
"What?" The female captain was severely choked by the wine she was swallowing, and the red-purple liquid stained the elegant and noble silk scarf at her collar.
"Verify!"
"Confirmed! Captain, it is indeed Warp jump fluctuations!" The Lieutenant in the lookout confirmed.
"Communications! Immediately send a warning signal to the Unyielding!" The female captain stood up and shouted.
"Already transmitted!"
In the void, the warning signal emitted by this cobra-class frigate spread like a lit beacon to nearby ships in an extremely short time.
Inside the Unyielding's command bridge.
"Captain, we received a warning message from the 'Starfire' destroyer. Warp jump fluctuations have been detected in the northwest channel, 9 void chains from our ship, at a suspected potential Mandeville Point!" Lieutenant Stirling calmly reported to Commodore Peru.
Suddenly, Lieutenant Stirling's brow furrowed.
"Captain, another Warp jump fluctuation has been detected 10 to 13 void chains to the south. We are caught right in the middle."
Commodore Edward Peru's brow furrowed.
But as a veteran who had served the Imperial Navy for decades, this was not the first time he had seen such a situation.
Or rather, when has the Imperial Navy not been attacked by the enemies of the Imperium, who come out in full force?
These cowards lacked the guts to challenge the excellent Imperial Navy warships one-on-one, so they could only hope to overwhelm the master with a wolfpack tactic and a flurry of punches.
"Have all small vessel detachments keep a close eye on both jump rifts. Report immediately once the number and type of ships are identified. Lieutenant, re-sound the Level One combat alert and have everyone transition from combat readiness rest to combat status."
"Understood, Captain."
[Horatio really did predict it. And it's actually a pincer attack from both sides?]