Warhammer: Hail to the Void Lords!.

Chapter 898, page 08.897: 'Port of Call'

"No one can really attack the port. The inhabitants there will simply flee their homes and rebuild. The community is so disorganized that the fleet can't even launch a proper attack. But to truly threaten it, something catastrophic, even enough to destroy the Fury system, would have to happen."
-
Commodore Montgomery Hazard, Colonus Expansion Fleet (Imperial Naval Passage Guard 27th Squadron).

(The Colonus Fleet, namely the Imperial Navy's 27th Channel Guard Squadron)
-
Twenty-one muffled booms, not the crisp sound of salutes, but a deafening roar like a giant beast burping from the muzzle of the Starfortress Cannon, announced the fleet's arrival at the core port of the Fury system—"Landing Port".

A massive and bloated star station, composed of bridges and tunnels connecting several asteroids, is like a sick, steel behemoth stranded on the boundary between reality and the void. It is the only foothold in the core of this dark place.

As its name suggests, it is not actually glamorous; in fact, it could be described as old and dirty. However, it is the only stable void region in the Colonus Expansion Zone, and due to its importance, it remains a magnificent and awe-inspiring imperial wonder.

(Port of call)

Its steel interior is rife with sin, conspiracy, and shady deals.

But it is the only place where humans can stably "settle down" in this lawless expansion zone.

After the escort ships negotiated and confirmed the fragile agreement, the Imperial Navy's massive fleet began escorting the Charter Fleet's trillion-ton cargo ships slowly into the starport.

The massive gantry cranes, like the skeletal claws of an ancient beast, began to install docking facilities for warships.

The Swift Skyhawk only had one docking station available, but Horatio didn't care.

He did not intend to stay at the port of call for long, nor did he plan to carry out any large-scale ship repairs there.

After delivering the goods to the traveling merchants, he had to immediately lead his team south to urgently aid Sintira from the Colonus expansion region.

The situation on the Whirlwind Front is critical. The defensive line that the human empire has spent thousands of years defending is on the verge of collapse under the siege of multiple forces, and planets are falling one after another.

Now, the enemy's forces are poised to strike Sintira, the core capital of the Calissis sector.

This most important human world, located on the western side of the Misty Starfield, must not fall; otherwise, the entire front guarding the northern part of the Eye of Fear will suffer a fatal blow.

Horatio noticed that the Imperial Navy wasn't the only one possessing a giant capital ship—an old and rare large cruiser was docked in the harbor. This warship had surpassed the flagships of many sector fleets, and many fleets established later had never possessed such a treasure.

(These are large cruisers that are so old they have been decommissioned; many of these ships are relics from the Great Expeditionary Era.)

Moreover, this must be the property of some merchant ronin dynasty, because it does not bear any official markings or paint schemes of the imperial fleet.

This seemed to be a declaration to him—the Imperial Navy was not the most influential force in the Colonus Expansion District.

Silent arrogance.

laugh--

As the airtight hatch opened with a hiss of hydraulic equipment, a rush of air mixed with rust, fuel, and some indescribable putrid smell poured in, fluttering the hem of Horatio's uniform.

The wind carries with it the sins and decadence of this place over the past ten thousand years.

Horatio's gaze swept across the scene before him.

This place is like an endless forest made of steel, pipes and cables, intricate and complex.

At almost every high vantage point, soldiers of the local planetary governor were on guard.

They dared not be lazy in the slightest, because there were many outlaws who would dare to attack them.

Horatio could sense the chaos and unrest in the area simply from the vigilance of the guards on duty.

Even before Horatio gave the order, the fully armed Callisis fleet sailors had already occupied all the key tactical points on the docking platform. They were clearly more experienced in port than the Gothic fleet's officers and men.

An exquisite red carpet was quickly laid out, temporarily covering the thick rust and unidentified grime on the deck.

A group of boarding party members clad in Void Armor formed two imposing human walls, using laser guns and shotguns to ensure the safety of the senior officers.

Horatio led his handpicked officers down the gangway and joined his colleagues from the Calicus fleet on the spacious platform.

The welcoming party from the port of call was not long, but it was quite eye-catching.

Everyone was dressed in flamboyant and extravagant clothes, the fabric reflecting a greasy sheen under the dim light, and every button glittering.

Standing at the forefront was a woman with numerous expensive implants on her face and neck; her skin appeared unnaturally taut from excessive rejuvenation treatments. She solemnly saluted the senior naval officers.

"Holy Navy lords! Welcome to our port! On behalf of Governor-General Vladim Tokala, please allow me to extend my warmest welcome and joy at your arrival. The Governor-General awaits your arrival at his residence. If you have other important matters to attend to at the star station, I would be honored to guide you!"

“Governor.” Horatio’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He deliberately lowered his voice, making his words carry a hint of displeasure and questioning, “Isn’t he coming to greet me personally?” He took a slow breath, not for the sake of speaking, but to make his perfectly tailored uniform appear even more upright due to his full chest muscles.

Two rows of meticulously polished and waxed medals swayed slightly under the artificial light, while the gold tassel epaulets that held down his cloak radiated a cold yet dazzling brilliance, silently demonstrating his rank and unquestionable authority.

"The Governor extends his sincerest apologies to you, Your Excellency."

The woman, who was carrying a large number of high-end implants, bowed deeply again. The neckline of her low-cut dress was pulled down so low that it almost reached her waist, making her particularly eye-catching. "Lady Theodora of the Von Valancius dynasty has just arrived at the governor's residence, and other traveling merchants and wanderers are also queuing up to meet the governor. We have come to welcome you gentlemen to the residence."

"I don't like it here."

Rear Admiral Paul Brues de Agaliyes from the Calicus fleet stood beside Horatio and spoke in a low voice. He wore a magnificent officer's uniform and a splendid cloak, exuding the pride of the Sintira nobility and the supreme authority of a naval officer.

"Are you familiar with this place, Your Excellency Major General?" Horatio said, bowing in greeting.

"The Calissis fleet is no stranger to this place."

Even those who have never been to the port have already heard of its infamous intrigues and dirty deals throughout the entire sector.

There is no honor, no loyalty here. To the governor here, the money bags of the traveling merchants are more important than the cannons of the Imperial Navy, and they can earn him more attention.

The deeper one gets entangled here, the easier it is to forget what the imperial double-headed eagle on one's chest represents amidst the endless temptations woven from money, power, and exotic spices.

The major admiral turned, seemingly preparing to return to his tall and imposing Grail-class high-speed battleship, the Vostok. He displayed utter disdain for the place, showing no intention of lingering any longer.

"Aren't you going to show up?" Horatio asked.

"I have no mission here, High Lord Colonel." Brues put his hands behind his back, looking down at the port with disdain. "A mere planetary governor dares to sit comfortably in his luxurious mansion, waiting for high-ranking officers of the Holy Navy to come and visit him. One can imagine how hopelessly lax and blindly arrogant this place has become."

Rear Admiral Bruyès turned his head to the side, revealing his prominent, hawk-like nose: "I'll return to the warship first. You can finish your business and then..."

“I can smell crime. Be careful, High Lord Colonel.” Behind Horatio, Grand Solicitor Javert, his eyes peering through his goggles, warily surveyed the rusty surroundings.

"Armed militants are approaching!" an Imperial Navy sailor suddenly shouted.

Before the words were finished, a group of menacing gangsters emerged from a dark passageway, armed with all sorts of weapons, from crude automatic guns to rusty chainsaw axes. They headed straight for the two traveling merchants who had just disembarked and were being protected by bodyguards.

Two traveling merchants who had just disembarked from another ship were facing these thugs. Before they could even speak, one of the thugs grinned and raised his automatic gun.

Da da da!
There were no warnings, no shouting.

Gunshots were the only opening.

The bullet ripped open the chest of one of the traveling merchants, exploding his magnificent silk coat along with his flesh and blood.

A bloody battle broke out right under the noses of the Imperial Navy.

The merchant ronin's bodyguards immediately raised their guns and fought back, and the governor's soldiers also joined the melee, with laser beams and live ammunition clashing in the air.

Kaka!

Without a word, the chief justice loaded his massive shotgun and headed toward the battleground.

Bang! Bang! Two shots rang out as two bodies were shattered by the hail of bullets.

"Damn it! A bunch of lawless scum!" Major General Bruyès roared in fury, his aristocratic languor vanished, replaced by murderous intent.

He suddenly drew his gold-plated power sword from his waist, the blade crackling with blue arcs of energy, and pointed it directly at the gang thugs who were engaged in a firefight.

"Armed Captain! Execute them! Who do these scum think they are, using force against the Imperial Navy!"

"Yes, sir!" A captain of the armed forces, clad in Void Shell armor, immediately carried out the fleet commander's order: "First squad, disperse and fire freely!"

“You all go first, I’ll handle things here! These lawless bastards!” Major General Bruyès said to Horatio, his eyes burning with rage. “Remember what I said, Your Excellency.”

You have no idea how deep the waters run here, and I don't recommend you get involved in any conflicts of interest related to this place. This is a place rotten to the core, beyond redemption.

“I will, Your Excellency.” Horatio nodded, then turned to Henry Harvey in a chillingly calm tone and said, “I have important business to attend to. You assist Major General Bruyès’s men in cleaning up these scoundrels. Take no prisoners. Those who surrender, hang them on the spot.”

"Yes, Captain. We'll make sure it's done perfectly." Harvey gave an impeccable salute, efficiently organized his combat troops, and joined this sudden, corrective purge operation.

(End of this chapter)