Author Notes:
Ehem~! Many thanks for tuning into your usual GSS broadcast! Once more, we have a batshit caffeinated Slime somehow veer the nonexistent plot of course again... So enjoy! *Sip*
Also, it's unfortunate, but salutation to Private Alpenmann and Private Ashley Macdonald! They have... Retired from active service, and we hope that they can support the Imperium and the Belkan Reich logistically if given the chance.
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Thank you, you two, for upholding the Tithe!
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"Then, Mama, I will retire to the barrack. If you need me or any member in 3rd Platoon, you know where to find us! Remember to have a good night, Mama~!"
Elyzabeth smiles as she waves her daughter goodbye. The Canonness Superior watches as Ein chats with her Platoon mates before finally disappearing into a recently erected barrack building for the Cadian 8th. Idly, Elyzabeth praises Tsavorae for having the foresight to suggest the new barrack area has separate private quarters for males and females. While it's indeed a minor improvement to the quality of life of the Cadian 8th's Guards, the distinction is made mostly because both Tsavorae and Elyzabeth inherently dislike the idea of Ein sleeping in a room with men around. Although Ein's 3rd Platoon seems surprisingly professional in everything they do and the Sisters of Battle don't have to worry about their unofficial mascot being infringed upon, Elyzabeth and Tsavorae are dead set on protecting Ein's purity whenever they can.
Elyzabeth, after confirming that Ein has now retired for the day, turns and walks away.
"Come now, Tsavorae. Let's see what the Dominus has to discuss before calling it a day as well."
"Right behind you, Elyzabeth." With their helmets still equipped, Tsavorae speaks with familiarity through a private vox channel. "It's indeed a shame that Ein can't stay with us Sisters. The girls are missing the day when Ein ran around to offer free hugs."
Though she still maintains her impeccable strides, Elyzabeth's armored shoulders are noticeably slumped. The Canonness Superior replies with a tinge of regret.
"Unfortunately, it will throw the recently formed cohesion of the Joint Task Force out of whack if we took her for the Order. For the nascent JTF, we can't show blatant favoritism, lest we breed negative emotions for our enemy to utilize. Even worse is that the enemy may see Ein as a weakness. It will defeat the entire premise of subtly safeguarding Ein with additional firepower and preventative measures. At least for the short term, Ein must be hidden from the eyes of those truly dangerous to her development."
Tsavorae sighs wistfully. "Ah, if only the Emperor can bless her to be stronger, and fast. That way, we can stop hiding and just wantonly show her off to the world..."
Elyzabeth smirks. "Confess the truth, sister. You only want to get beneath my daughter's skirt sooner, rather than later."
"I plead the Fifth, whatever that means." Tsavorae shrugs, finding herself recalling some unfortunate sod saying that before being blasted by her with a bolter. "But honestly, have you seen how well she has matured in the time we spent away?"
Elyzabeth finds herself at a loss for words regarding how blatant Tsavorae was in asking that question.
"That's my daughter you're talking about, girl... But I don't deny that she is well-developed in the right areas. Her height has also made her to be the perfect pillow as well."
Tsavorae rolls her eyes, though the action is hidden by her helmet. "Of course you will say that. You're the one that spent the most time with Ein, hogging her all for yourself back in the Kasr."
"Heh." Elyzabeth doesn't even bother muting her smirk, much to Tsavorae's chagrin.
Bantering like that, it takes no time for Elyzabeth and Tsavorae to arrive at the command center in the JTF's Base of Operation. It has been half a week since they first boarded the voidship Pegasus. In that time frame, the base has changed from being hastily constructed to a formidable garrison on the surface of Cadia. Most predominantly, the Base of Operation is large enough to encompass the entire length of the Pegasus, thus preventing any further Chaos incursion from hampering the Tech-priests' research effort. Some may think that it's nearly impossible to construct such a large base in the span of a few days, but this is the 41st millennium. Everything is possible now.
The JTF's command center is one of the first buildings to be rebuilt into a small fortress. Sporting heavy defensive weapons, armor platings, and even large underground areas, the command center is where the leaders of the JTF come to hold a private discussions. Making their way inward and downward, Elyzabeth and Tsavorae navigate the minimalistic pre-fabricated corridors until they reach a secured meeting room. Receiving nods from Salamander Space Marines and their Sisters of Battle, Elyzabeth, and Tsavorae make their way past a sliding blast door.
Turning over to look at them, the towering form of Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl greets.
"Canonness Superior, Palatine, you have arrived." He then directs his vision over to the rest of the people in the room. "Shall we start this discussion in earnest?"
Other than the Sisters of Battle and the Salamanders, there are also high-ranking members of the Cadian 8th and the surprising presence of a liaison from the famed Lucifer Blacks Regiment. Elements of the Lucifer Blacks arrived upon Cadia more than a week ago. However, they were hampered by the ineffective governing of the Planetary Governor on Cadia. It's only when that particular individual turned indispose by a certain Inquisitor that the Blacks officially joined the Joint Task Force.
Dominus Cawl, seeing the silent nods of the people in the room, mentally activates a large holographic table with a built-in cogitator. It's with this particular device that Dominus presents his recent findings with visual aids. Scores of texts, numerical data, calculation results, blueprints, and old combat footage... All are shown in a logically arranged manner that serves to better present a narrative for those present.
"The Omnissiah blesses us, for the Mechanicus has found many wonders hidden in an otherwise archaic voidship. We have uncovered blueprints and intact assembly lines to build two new voidcraft. Both designs are deemed fit for void and atmospheric utilization, with them capable of fulfilling roles that have been deemed unsuitable for our larger voidcraft."
Dominus Cawl then highlights the Colonial Viper and Raptor designs.
"These designs are made to be cheap, and easy to build, yet stand to last the test of time. Nearly any factory worth their Thrones will be able to build them. However, it's the Raptor design that lays an interesting finding."
Elyzabeth nods. "We know, Dominus, the miniaturized FTL drive."
Dominus Cawl goes on to say.
"Indeed, you all know. The benefits of a small FTL drive that can fit inside a voidcraft are immense. However, not every one of you knows just how big of an impact this particular brand of FTL drive truly is. I did not lie when I surmised that this technology bypassed the step to harness the Warp altogether."
The mention of the Warp instantly catches everyone's interest, particularly that of Chief Librarian Vel'cona.
"Are you suggesting what I am thinking...?"
Dominus Cawl patiently presents the findings about the Colonial FTL drive.
"It's as you have suspected, this FTL technology, henceforth shall be known as Blink Drive, is priceless. Our current FTL drive uses the Warp as a medium to transcend spatial distance. However, the Blink Drive eliminates the need for the Warp to act as an intermediary. To put it simply, a Blink Drive uses a dimensional transport effect. The ships instantaneously teleport from one point in space to another with little to no delay when crossing immense distances."
"It takes merely a blink..." The masked liaison of the Lucifer Blacks comments while reviewing the data.
"Hence the name Blink Drive." Dominus Cawl replies. "There's no limitation, one can even jump inside the atmosphere for tactical advantage before jumping out back into the void. The only true limiters are the size of the Blink Drive, its power source, and the calculations it takes to achieve the jump. Any of these can be easily rectified to suit our needs, given our technological level that surpasses that of the humans who created Battlestar Pegasus."
Tsavorae tilts her head. "Battlestar?"
"It's a ship classification for this Colonial faction that constructed the Pegasus." Dominus Cawl answers. "Most unfortunately, many data have been corrupted, lost to the passage of time. The most recent log we uncovered has been that of the Pegasus' final fate. It was boarded by the Clankers in combat and its navigation system was severely damaged, thus leading to a series of uncontrollable FTL jumps until it crashed on Cadia. By then, the Pegasus had been adrift for 16 years."
Colonel Mustahim of the Cadian 8th marvels.
"16 years... Milord Dominus, are you saying this voidship had been jumping constantly for 16 years, even without a living crew?"
Dominus Cawl nods, gazing at the holographic recreation of Battlestar Pegasus.
"That is correct. It's merely a result of a faulty and damaged cogitator system. Nevertheless, it serves as a testament to the high efficiency of the Blink Drive for achieving 280506 FTL jumps in 16 years. This means that the Pegasus automatically made a jump every half an hour constantly. With time, I believe we can shorten the time frame between jumps even more, provided we can supply a Blink Drive with enough power."
"Unbelievable..." Chapter Master Tu'shan breathes out in shock.
No one can blame the Salamander for his exclamation. The people in this room are smart enough to understand the implications of the Blink Drive technology.
The Lucifer Blacks liaison speaks raspily. "This is like the Holy Grail in the old tales. Has this technology been vetted for corruption?"
Dominus Cawl replies steadily. "Would I dare inform you all if otherwise? Nonetheless, it's prudent to pursue additional testing using voidcraft and even voidship. We must replicate and master this technology."
Elyzabeth hums. "If this branch of humanity, the Colonials, could construct these Blink Drives en masse, I don't see why we can't do better than them."
"The Iron Revenant will be pioneering the testing and manufacturing of the Blink Drives. Due to the critical nature of this endeavor, even I must request support from the Salamanders, Chapter Master Tu'shan." Dominus Cawl turns to the Chapter Master.
"Then you shall have it. Our fleet shall stand to protect the Iron Revenant." Tu'shan nods, understanding the severity of the task at hand.
Colonel Mustahim interjects. "We must rope in the Navis Imperialis as well. More ships to stand between the Iron Revenant and the Eye of Terror is always welcome, even if they don't understand the full picture."
Dominus Cawl agrees with the suggestion. "That can easily be arranged."
Elyzabeth interjects calmly. "Things will be more lively from here on out with how half of the sector's military seems to be concentrated on Cadia."
Tsavorae comments. "Then we shall have no fear with all the firepower at our disposal."
Vel'cona sighs. "I am more afraid that our enemies will be raising trouble elsewhere. They may not touch upon Cadia, but neighboring systems are still free games."
Tu'shan pats Vel'cona's shoulder. "Don't forget, brother, we have an Ark Mechanicus here. The neighboring sector will find themselves with an influx of new equipment to bolster their ranks soon enough. It will offset any hostile scrutiny."
"Force multiplier, the Iron Revenant is." Dominus Cawl nods in agreement. "However, if you all can return your attention to this piece of important news."
The Lucifer Black liaison raises an eyebrow, hidden behind the faceless mask. "There's still more? You really aren't kidding when you said that this Pegasus was an Omnissiah-blessed endeavor."
Cawl nods at the Lucifer Black before revealing something no less shocking than the Blink Drive.
"If the presence of a single Ark Mechanicus in the Cadia system means the entire region of space will have a marked increase in combat effectiveness, then what about two of them? After analyzing the surviving sensor data of Battlestar Pegasus, I have learned that the Pegasus had a brief encounter with an abandoned and ancient facility on a barren planet. Sensor readings from the Pegasus indicate the presence of a possible and unactivated Ark Mechanicus in the heart of that facility. If the data is verified to be true, we must do everything we can to retrieve this Ark Mechanicus."
The revelation is seemingly too good to be true, especially after the windfall that is the Blink Drive. Sensing their suspicion, Dominus Cawl explains.
"Although the planet is in known space, it's buffered by a coiling Warp Storm. In theory, the storm is strong enough to destroy the planet many times over. However, there seems to be something akin to the Cadian Black Pillars. A membrane of energy exists to protect the voidspace around the planet from the rolling Warp energy. Directly traversing to the planet is impossible to accomplish. Yet, if we can outfit some vessels with the Blink Drive..."
The Lucifer Black liaison finishes the sentence. "Then we can go in the same way the Pegasus did. And here I thought this JTF endeavor would be just another protection job."
Elyzabeth hums. "Still, it's not like we can just set off to that planet immediately. There's much to be done on Cadia."
Tu'shan nods. "We must master the Blink Drive and set up a more effective governing body for Cadia. If it wasn't for the Inquisitor to detect a Warp infestation among the upper ruling body, we might have been stabbed in the back in the future by them. For us to make any serious move, we need to crack down on any corruption on Cadia first."
Dominus Cawl uses a mechanical arm to pat himself on the back. "There are some benefits to be had when you're on good terms with an Inquisitor. However, let's not forget the true purpose of the JTF."
Cawl's reminder is left cryptic, with only those in the knowns, well, know. The discussion and planning then continue from that point onward. Midway through the session, Elyzabeth can't help but think about Ein and what she is doing in her free time.