"Hmm, the fleet is already more powerful than it was when we encountered the Silent King. Not bad. It seems mutual affection with the Greenskins truly has its benefits."
Yuki enjoyed delving into these mundane statistics after a task was completed. He swiped across a data slate; while it looked like a high-tech device, it was actually a biological construct of the Hive. As for how the Tyranids managed to produce such things with genetic engineering, Yuki wasn't entirely sure.
In fact, Yuno herself might not even know.
"What don't I know?" Yuno reached out and snatched the data slate from Yuki's hand. "Making something like this is simple. You just... er, well... you just have to ask for it."
"How is that different from saying nothing at all?"
Yuno sat up and leaned against Yuki, clinging to him. "The Tyranids are magical, aren't they?"
"Very magical indeed. Next time, could you grow some rabbit ears?"
"What kind do you want? Like Kaan's?"
Yuki thought seriously for a moment. "Kaan's style... that doesn't seem too bad."
Yuno tapped Yuki on the head. "What are you thinking about all day? I really can't feel at ease with you like this. What if Slaanesh seduces you one day?"
"Don't worry, I'd die before I'd submit!"
"Falling into that one's hands, death might be the hardest thing to achieve."
"Then there's nothing for it. I can't beat her anyway. Frantic resistance might just make Slaanesh more excited."
Yuno's expression darkened. "You are mine. I won't let anyone else take you. Dammit, I wouldn't even give up a useless body. Yuki, just stay by my side forever. That way, I can protect you."
"Am I not by your side right now?"
"No, I mean..."
Yuki already felt a bit of unease. What Yuno left unsaid was all too obvious. Her yandere traits hadn't been very apparent because their relationship was currently harmonious and no one could threaten her position. But things can change once one starts brooding—if Yuno truly felt there was a chance he could be snatched away by Slaanesh...
Yuki quickly changed the subject. "Yuno, where should we go now?"
"Let's just take our time and head over to rendezvous with the fleet remnants. We've been talking about collecting what's left of Behemoth and Gorgon for so long, yet we still haven't gotten around to it."
"Alright, setting off immediately!"
Yuki prepared to adjust the fleet's course. Out of respect, Yuno had handed over full control of this splinter fleet to Yuki, as he was technically its owner now. However, as they prepared to leave, Yuki noticed a rather interesting fleet.
"That looks like the fleet of our friend, Ghazghkull."
Yuki knew that Ghazghkull Thraka hadn't been killed by the Blood Angels' decapitation strike during the Second War for Armageddon. After a vast number of his subordinates and armies were destroyed, Ghazghkull had taken the survivors and fled. Of course, he would return later, but by then, Yuki would be long gone.
The Ork scrap-fleet also noticed the presence of the Aether Fleet. They made no move—no slowing down, no accelerating—just continuing forward as before.
"What do you plan to do?"
Yuki looked at those junk ships. The Imperium of Man could never seem to wipe out the Orks entirely, but the Tyranids were different. If Yuki gave the word, this Aether Fleet—which hadn't fought the Astartes reinforcements and remained at terrifying combat strength—could easily consume these Orks.
"Let's lend a hand. Didn't you say it? These are genetic defects. I want to see if we can make them a bit stronger."
Yuno fell silent for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face. "Yuki, in the past, I would have found this boring. But now, I think I can suppress my hunger a little."
"Thank you."
"There's no need for that between us."
Yuki gave the order for the Aether Fleet to surround the Ork scrap-ships, but they did nothing. Then, in a strange silence, a small craft detached from the Hive Fleet and flew toward the center of the Ork fleet.
Ghazghkull received the small craft in person. A Hive Tyrant and a Neurotyrant boarded, though their consciousnesses had been temporarily replaced by Yuki and Yuno. Their usual bodies were resting on the Hive Ship.
"Long time no see, Ghazghkull."
"Yuki-humie, you've grown right big."
"Don't make me laugh, Mag Uruk. How do you feel? Being beaten by the humans you considered puny humies."
"Da humies weren't proper! Dey sneaked us! But da Boyz had a grand ol' fight! Da Orks will get bigger and stronger, and den we'll be back for another scrap!"
"Then let us help each other."
A savage grin appeared on Ghazghkull's face. "Da bug-humie wants to be our sparrin' partner! Let's have a scrap, Boyz!"
The Tyranids and the Greenskins truly were a pair of star-crossed lovers. One wanted to eat, the other wanted to fight. Though their needs seemed unrelated, they were actually a perfect fit.
The Ork fleet landed on a dead world. The environment was extremely harsh, devoid of resources, and the Imperium had no garrison there. It was perfect for "raising the Gu" (a place of toxic competition). The Tyranid fleet sent down a small splinter, matched to the scale of the Orks. Then, the two sides began to clash.
"Cheers!"
Atop a capillary tower, Yuki and Ghazghkull drank deeply.
"I'm tellin' ya, dis grog... it ain't right! Not strong enough. Us Ork Boyz like to mix in some black powder; dat gives it da kick!"
"I just brewed this randomly. If you want something with a kick, next time I'll add some acid spray rounds for you."
"Right-o!"
After a few barrels, Ghazghkull seemed a bit drunk. He said, "Yuki-humie, I'm tellin' ya, dis time I found a humie I like. Waaaaaagh and strong. Named Yarrick, or sumfink."
"Yarrick? He is indeed a good one."
"I'm gonna fight 'im for da rest of me life!" Ghazghkull raised his power claw. "Greenskins gotta fight da scariest enemies!"
"Am I not scary enough?"
"Nah, Yuki-humie ain't got as much Waaaaaagh as Ghazghkull."
Yuki felt a bit offended. "I've heard the wine from Prospero is the finest in the universe. Maybe we can try that later."
"Don't go changin' da subject, Yuki-humie."
"Shut up, Ghazghkull."
Beneath those massive capillary towers, the Orks and Tyranids engaged in a terrifying, large-scale battle. In the midst of this carnage, the strength of both sides grew exponentially.
"Ghazghkull, once your Green Tide grows larger, let's have a real war."
"Gork and Mork will be watchin' us!"