Kingdom Come: Deliverance, but Warhammer 40k

Chapter 86 The Mechanical Priest

The road to the shipowner's stronghold was much longer than Beatrice had imagined.

After all, the HMS Faraway can hardly be considered a normal ship anymore.

Especially since they passed through the upper deck where the chaos invasion was most intense.

The decorative panels on the walls were removed to repair damaged areas, and the reliefs and murals that were originally used to display the family's glory were covered with heavy steel plates.

Orion walked at the front, his power armor showing no signs of slowing down despite its wearer's advanced age.

Aldrick followed behind him.

This butler didn't seem to enjoy seeking out trouble like his master did.

At least on the surface.

But Teresa noticed that his hand never left the weapon at his waist.

Even though this area was already under their control, he remained vigilant.

After all, they are people who can survive the invasion of chaos —

"so."

As they passed through a sealed hatch, Orion suddenly spoke.

"How's the situation on deck now? They should have set up a defensive line there by now."

His question was clearly directed at Theresa.

"deck?"

Theresa took a moment to react.

  

"You mean the refugee camp?"

"Hmm, any name is fine."

"After I lost control of most of the ship, that place must have become the last gathering place for the remaining humans."

Theresa hesitated for a moment.

"The situation is not too good."

She didn't know how to describe it.

To simply call it chaos would be an understatement.

Cultists have infiltrated, and there are occasional demonic invasions. The garrison is dwindling—even after they blew up most of the passageways, the situation hasn't improved.

Everyone knew that the Faraway was dying.

But no one knows when death will truly come.

"They are still alive."

Teresa concluded.

"At least most people are still alive."

Orion nodded.

"This is better than I expected."

"However, from your description, it seems there's a new manager there now?"

Theresa glanced at him.

You mean Cass?

"Cass?"

The old man repeated the name.

"I don't recall having a nobleman named Cass on the Faraway, and he doesn't seem to be one of the officers I trust either."

Aldrick explained for him.

"Master, I remember him. He was a promising young officer of the Empire who came to our ship, apparently seeking promotion."

"A young officer?"

Orion seemed interested.

"A young man managing a group of refugees?"

"Have all my other loyal subordinates died?"

Recalling his assassination attempt, the old captain accepted reality. "Well, even in a situation like this, someone willing to step forward and take responsibility must have some extraordinary qualities."

"Although----"

The old man paused for a moment.

"I still want to know if he followed the rules of the Faraway."

Aldrick did not respond.

Because he knew what his master meant by "rules".

The Voyager belongs to the Vestalen family.

No matter how many years have passed, no matter what the ships have become.

In Orion's heart, this place was still his territory.

If that young officer were to overstep his authority, he would only face the following fate:

Pass through the last security door.

The scene before us finally changed.

Although the air still reeked of decay.

But at least there was still order here, and the flames illuminated the huge repair area.

Dozens of mechanical priests busied themselves around the damaged weapons and equipment.

Their robotic arms constantly adjusted the parts, while they whispered complex prayers.

Some people are repairing laser weapons and disassembling damaged power armor.

Several mechanical priests were inspecting the energy core of a heavy weapon.

They didn't even stop working because Orion was back.

For these mechanical priests...

A sacred machine awaiting repair is clearly more important than a living nobleman.

In particular, this nobleman had a bad attitude towards them and once threatened to send them all into space.

Theresa watched this scene with some surprise.

There were quite a few mechanical priests here, even more than she had imagined; it seemed that most of the priests on the ship had come here. But soon, she also discovered a problem.

There is a lack of people here who can use these weapons.

A large amount of equipment has been repaired.

But there weren't many soldiers waiting to collect them.

The remaining members of the Honor Guard were scattered around the perimeter of the area.

Most of them were exhausted.

Some people sat on boxes while medical personnel treated their wounds.

Someone was leaning against the wall, resting with their eyes closed.

Several seriously wounded soldiers were lying in a makeshift medical area.

Their power armor has been removed.

Despite treatment, the exposed wounds could not be completely controlled from worsening.

Even though she wasn't a doctor, Theresa could tell that some of them might not make it through the day.

Orion looked at his guards.

He didn't speak.

But his pace slowed down a bit.

These people once guarded his ship, and now only a few remain. It's hard to say that he bears no responsibility for this.

"They're all good guys; without them, things would only be worse."