Chapter 7: Full Refit
Pavian now completely regarded Lucan as the Omnissiah's avatar. His dedication to carrying out Lucan's orders was absolute.
Twenty-four hours passed.
A full 100 sets of Marine-issue CMC combat armor and weapons had been transported off the production line and were stacked nearby.
Unfortunately, the readily available metal on the upper decks was limited. To continue expanding production, they might have to start tearing down railings and stripping walls.
However, Lucan hadn't even actively suggested this before Pavian was already doing it.
Why keep these excess metal objects lying around? Entering the sacred STC was their best destiny!
Beyond these basic CMC suits, Lucan also produced 30 sets of Firebat gear and equipment for two Medics.
Compared to the lighter CMC-400 combat suit used by Marines, Firebats wore the heavier CMC-660 model. Sacrificing some mobility, it boasted thicker armor and better heat resistance. The plasma fuel tanks carried on its back powered the Firebat's Perdition Flame twin flamethrowers.
Although it seemed to spray fire, the flamethrower was actually an energy weapon. The high-energy plasma flames it generated were even more terrifying than the Promethium-fueled flamethrowers of the Warhammer world.
Time was too tight, so Lucan didn't produce Marauder gear. He didn't think the heavy anti-armor capabilities of Marauders were needed right now; it would be too time-consuming. The C-14 was powerful enough against the current enemies.
Lucan contacted Verre and the others still fighting on the lower decks via the vox network.
After 24 hours of continuous combat, the Marines had long since exhausted their ammunition and were fighting with the alloy bayonets fixed to their rifles and other weapons scavenged from the crew.
"Verre, servitors are transporting equipment down now. Select your most elite warriors to re-equip. Damon and his soldiers will act as your instructors! The time for a counter-attack has arrived!"
Hearing Lucan's words, Verre's spirits lifted. Although he didn't yet know what kind of equipment Lucan was talking about, he seemed to be slowly getting used to Lucan constantly working miracles.
However, when sets upon sets of combat armor were transported down to the lower decks, Verre couldn't help but rub his eyes, wanting to confirm if what he was seeing was real.
"Does the ship really have this kind of production workshop? I've only been down here for 24 hours, and the ship can already produce things like this?"
Verre stood stunned, while Damon and his men began replenishing their own ammunition.
Without ammunition, relying solely on their combat suits wasn't enough to completely overwhelm the enemy.
If it weren't for the presence of the Medic, they would have already suffered casualties.
"Verre, get your men over here. I'll show them how to put these on and how to use them. Damn it, the guys charging us seem to be getting stronger; the mutations on their bodies are accelerating visibly! Commander, we need to end this riot quickly!"
Soon, the selected soldiers stood before the combat suits.
These crewmen had long been eyeing the gear with envy. Under normal circumstances, ordinary crew like them would never qualify to wear equipment similar to force-feedback armor.
Under Damon's instruction, one crewman after another donned the CMC armor and picked up a C-14 rifle.
"The combat suit has various auxiliary functions. Follow the prompts and try them out first. Most importantly, you need to familiarize yourselves with your weapons! Spike rounds, explosive rounds, depleted uranium rounds, serrated rounds, incendiary rounds – each ammo type has its purpose. Just follow orders when the time comes! The intel system and audio-visual compensation system in your helmets will ensure you hear my commands clearly and know the status of your comrades. Those wearing Firebat suits, watch those fuel tanks on your backs! If those get hit, nobody can save you. Most importantly, be extremely careful not to spray your comrades! Listen up everyone, if some idiot in a Firebat suit turns his flames on you, you take him out! I don't need that kind of waste in my squad! And you two guys in the Medic suits! Keep an eye on your comrades. And stop touching the chest plate – this armor was originally designed for women!"
Amidst Damon's gruff commands, the group quickly completed their refit. Although still unfamiliar, they had grasped the basics. They likely only needed one or two real combat engagements to become proficient; after all, operating this gear was practically foolproof. Early models of the combat suit could even be used by people whose brains had been fried by stimpacks.
"Damon! The Enforcers here are familiar with the lower deck situation; they manage the people down there daily! With them guiding you, you can definitely quell this riot and find its source!" Verre said.
Verre didn't change into the new gear; he needed to remain here to handle coordination. Lucan had told him more equipment would be sent down, and the selection and deployment of personnel required his personal attention.
Due to the emergence of Warp corruption, the psyker Eunice had also come down to the lower decks.
"Damon," Eunice began, her voice strained, "I see the power of a Ruinous God growing stronger in the lowest levels. You must destroy the source. It's located at the very bottom of this voidship. A terrifying presence is gestating. You must hurry... otherwise, a powerful Daemon will tear through the Gellar Field and enter the ship proper. When that happens, it will be a catastrophe... I hear it more clearly now, that demonic laughter... The Warp is encroaching upon this voidship. Faithful servants of the Imperium are being corrupted. Green threads infest the lower decks... but I also see glimmers of gold and blood-red light. There are still warriors loyal to the God-Emperor fighting below."
Damon didn't fully understand the specifics of what Eunice was saying, but he knew a powerful enemy awaited them below. Only the humans from this Warhammer universe looked exceptionally tense after hearing Eunice's words.
"We're counting on you, Damon! Once you break through, the Priests will purify the corridors you clear. Logistical support will follow close behind!" Verre urged.
Damon nodded to Verre, then turned to the newly equipped soldiers.
"Firebats, take point! Everyone else, protect the Medics! Move out!"
The refitted soldiers began their counter-offensive.
The environmental seals of the CMC combat suits effectively blocked out the plague miasma hanging in the air. However, as they advanced deeper, the walls and structures within the ship were already covered in numerous fungi, constantly spewing spores.
The Imperial soldiers in Firebat armor knew how dangerous these things were. Without hesitation, they used their flamethrowers to incinerate every fungus in sight.
Through conversations with these Imperial soldiers, Damon began to learn various pieces of information about the Warp.
As the fungi burned, the flames illuminated the dim lower decks. While purifying the contagions, the fire also seemed to dispel the Warp's influence; flames often had surprisingly potent effects against creations of the Warp. The concentration of corruption in the surroundings was noticeably decreasing.
Areas that should have been bustling with laborers were now eerily empty. Instead, as far as the eye could see, large rats scurried everywhere.
However, as the squad advanced, the tactical lights on their CMC suits seemed to activate the entire area. One by one, figures covered in pustules and weeping sores emerged from the surrounding structures. The light of humanity had long faded from their eyes; the most severe cases even had horny spikes growing from their bodies.
"Poxwalkers... they're Poxwalkers! I've seen these things before!" a soldier's voice crackled over the comms.
"Doesn't matter what they are! Kill them! Open fire!" Damon ordered.
(End of Chapter)