Author Notes:
Woohoo~! New GSS chapter is here~!
Best of all, the Monthly Recruitment Drive is up~! And no, this is not an April's Fool joke, I am not that heartless :D
Also also, this chapter took a surprisingly large amount of brain matters to write. I wonder why~?
There are advanced chapters on P-atreon for both of my fics, with a couple of special bonuses if you read the fine print :D
https://www.patr-eon.com/Heartbreak117
https://ko-fi.com/heartbreak117/goal?g=0
Income goal 741/700 USD (Hooray~!!! Many thanks to you all!!!)
For my fics:
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/55793/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich/
https://www.webnovel.com/book/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich_23809095505377305
https://photos.app.goo.gl/waZgkRa3UQhqKQBi9
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/1375924/in-the-grimdark-sector-with-a-system/
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Back in my past life, the few Warhammer trivia I read rarely touched upon the Imperial cuisine, with most of them tend to come back to the notorious corpse-starch. While I won't dismiss that there's some truth in those trivia, it reflects only a minute portion of the Imperium's dining culture and is thick in bias. Countless as the most unfortunate of souls in the Imperium may be, one shouldn't discount the more common and fortunate citizens. Thanks to the latter, fine dining is appreciated among all corners of the Imperium, thus spurning the wheels of improvisation and improvement for the meals being put on the tables. This, when combined with the colorful ingredients that are sprinkled all over the galaxy, means dining culture in the Imperium is constantly evolving each and every single day. Paradoxically, the nebulous nature of Warp travel which keeps food supplies in flux, plays perfectly well into the ever-changing nature of Imperial cuisine.
From the most common street vendors to the most opulent of restaurants, menus, and techniques are forced to adapt to the constantly varying food suppliers. One may as well be frying the equivalent of chicken meat one day before they have to switch to roasting aquatic shellfish for a living tomorrow. As long as there are demands for good food, which always exist in this universe, and there are suppliers available, the chefs of the Imperium never fear running out of business. This means the food industries are lucrative enterprises to embark on, for even a Space Marine can fancy a good drumstick. And the robust Imperium supply lines, built upon the back of massive void haulers, ensure that food products are always in transit from one-star system to another. Of course, risks are always present in the shadow of any endeavor so only the most ambitious and well-prepared individuals can thrive in the culinary war.
That said, my time spent living in the Imperium has me classified the foods and beverages into a few groups:
Exotics, which are usually the most expensive but not guarantee to be the tastiest. More often than not, these exotic foods and drinks are reserved only for the elites of the Imperium. The apple-peach is one example of an exotic food.
Common. As straightforward as it sounds, common dishes are primarily catered toward the common populace of the Imperium. However, what is common today can be a vastly different common tomorrow. Nonetheless, they are most certainly edible and safe to consume, for the most part. At the very least, they are nutritious and are usually tasty. Most importantly, they are affordable due to the vast quantity being supplied or harvested locally.
Signature dishes still exist, of course, and are mostly region-specific and made from locally available ingredients. The quality and cost of the stuff made from these ingredients varied wildly. The signature category tends to overlap with the other categories.
Military food. In short, rations and MREs. The things that we Cadians are never in short supply. They may not be delicacies, but they are, quite frankly, the most nutritious and edible. Space Marines and Sisters of Battle have their versions of military food as well. However, it doesn't stop us from eating normal meals when we can, of course.
Lastly, Corpse-starch... Need I say more?
And when Mama said that there's a barbecue party, it meant that we would be eating normal food, not some bland rations or corpse-starch, thank you very much.
As promised to Mama, I am one of the chefs running around and cooking up a storm. Although the barbecue party was Sergeant Johnson's idea, and he for sure knows how to BBQ, I am the one roasting the best cuts of meat so far. Other than me and Johnson, there are other barbecue stands, both large and small, that the Cadian Guards, Sisters of Battle, and even Space Marines are using to host a small festivity. All manner of meats and seafood are cooked on burning hot stoves, spices are used abundantly to enhance the roasted aroma, and drinks are passed around jovially. Of course, duties require that none of us get drunk so there's only a limited quantity of Amasec, the Imperium's equivalent of wine, and old-foiz, which is beer.
From a cursory glance, the people at the barbecue venue are mostly the personnel present in the initial foray into Battlestar Pegasus. This basically amounts to 3rd Platoon, Mama's unit of Sister of Battle, Chapter Master Tu'shan's Salamanders, and Magos Hedagine's group of Tech-priests. Surprisingly, Colonel Mustahim is present with some of his command staff and the Kasrkin attached to the Cadian 8th. What I never expected was to see a few troopers from the famed Lucifer Black Regiment, evidenced by their black uniform and markings. As an entire Regiment of Tempestus Scions or Storm Troopers, Lucifer Blacks are the guardians of the Imperial Palace on Terra. The chance of even one of them being deployed to Cadia is so abyssal that it may as well be void. Yet, here they are, thus lending credence to the rumors of an elite unit in black arriving at the fortress world. Seeing the Lucifer Blacks here, I understand they are now a part of the Joint Task Force.
It appears that the JTF will be a long-term investment by the Imperium. As for what purpose the JTF will ultimately serve, that remains to be seen. For now, I am more focused on cutting fine slabs of meat from a whole-roasted grox, otherwise known as space cow or lizard cow. Of course, I dedicated the most tender and savory portion to Mama, placing it on a dish well decorated with tasty fried vegetables. It has to be said that the ingredients being supplied to the Base of Operations are always well-preserved and fresh. This is a testament to the effort of the people in logistics, working day and night to bolster the morale and effectiveness of Cadian Regiments. Nonetheless, due to the short notice of this barbecue party, I didn't have time to prepare or marinate the meat properly.
My skill as a chef, given to me by the System, cries out in shame as I present subpar products to the dining table.
"Please enjoy, Mama." I still manage a smile, feeling proud as Mama is enticed by the food I cook. I then look at the rest sitting at the table. "My apology, but can you help me bring over the dishes, Tsavorae? Milord Tu'shan and Vel'cona, please excuse me for a bit as I bring over your portions."
With an easy smile and crossed arms, the Salamander Chapter Master nods. "Take your time, young one. We understand that our consumption can be a bit..."
Chief Librarian Vel'cona finishes the sentence. "Too much to be carried in one go."
The two Astartes are sitting on large durable rocks instead of chairs. That alone is a testament to their sheer body mass alongside that of their armor. I bow at them slightly, grateful for their understanding, before gesturing my head for Tsavorae to follow me. Back at my barbecue station, I pass Tsavorae the food I have prepared.
"Here is your portion, sis." I say, giving Tsavorae a similar dish to Mama's, albeit this one is more chewy to conform to Tsavorae's taste. "And these are for the lords."
Tsavorae, thanks to her power armor, has no trouble balancing two large trays with a bevy of roasted meats and assortments. She then nods at me with a smile. "You know, Ein, I don't think the Salamanders will mind if you drop your formality. They already give you their permission, no?"
I shake my head wryly, carrying a large bowl of sauce as we make our way back to the dining table of the illustrious. "Old habits die hard, sis."
"Heh." Tsavorae smirks. "Don't worry, you'll get used to their presence soon enough. The Salamanders are the most amicable Astartes you will ever find."
After setting up the table properly, I am just about to excuse myself to continue serving the other guests when Mama waves me over.
"Oh, come on, darling. Come here and relax with us for a bit. It's not like you're the only chef currently?"
Mama's suggestion is met by nods of agreement from the Salamanders and sister Tsavorae. I glance back, seeing that Sergeant Johnson is boisterously running the kitchen and is teaching Weiss some neat cooking tips leads me to believe that the other guests are well taken care of. So, I move to sit on the spot offered by Mama, which is basically in between her and sister Tsavorae. With care, Mama and Tsavorae give me a spare plate and a portion of their food. To this loving gesture, I thank them with a smile. Being on the receiving end of their affection never ceases to melt my heart. Tu'shan and Vel'cona look at our interaction fondly, seemingly imprinting the scene into their minds as another important thing to safeguard against the darkness of the galaxy.
Honestly, I can understand why they feel that way, having made such a resolution long ago.
With a toast, two Salamander Space Marines, two Sisters of Battle, and a singular Guardswoman seal the beginning of a more amicable network of relationships, one that is more personal than their prior work-related one. On the surface, this budding interbranch friendship seems small, possibly even inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Yet, it's with these fledging bonds that monumental things will be built on. One shouldn't discount the importance of camaraderie and unity in the Warhammer universe. Many miracles have come about because someone is willing to go all the way to aid their friends, brothers, and sisters. More practically, if I can curry a deep friendship with the Salamander Chapter, I will have a much easier time surviving and thriving. It's selfish, but it has to be done, and I am grateful that Mama has given me such an opportunity.
That said, when you look around, you can see that it's not only our table that is bonding over food and drinks. Tech-priests, Cadian 8th, Kasrkin, Lucifer Blacks, Sisters of Battle, and Space Marines... All are mingling amicably with one another, trading tales, anecdotes, and other topics with booze on one hand and a plate on the other. The scene is quite frankly mind-boggling if nothing short of a miracle crafted by the Emperor Herself. Tell me, has there ever been a more harmonious gathering between so many people from so many different walks of life? Mind you, this is the grimdark universe we are talking about here...
Practically, this is a great opportunity to boost the JTF's cohesion. Yet, when thinking deeper, I have a sneaking suspicion that things won't be as peaceful after this barbecue party. I have read too much fiction in my past life to infer that this moment is the calm before the storm.
Sigh, better enjoy whatever peaceful moments I have left before shits hit the fan. Things can change dramatically tomorrow... Having thought to this point, I participate cheerfully in mundane 40K topics with Mama, Tsavorae, and the Salamanders. For a short while, I allow myself to just be a normal 16-year-old and let loose my curiosity about the Salamanders. To this, Chapter Master Tu'shan and Chief Librarian Vel'cona have taken it upon themselves to educate me about their Space Marine Chapter. The stories they tell me and the insights they grant me in tactics and strategies are revealing, things that not even an avid Warhammer fan would be able to know.
Mama and sister Tsavorae, seeing me now engrossed and at ease with everyone at the table, nod to themselves in relief. It's kind of them to worry about my off-duty life, really, and I am once more touched by their feelings. Indeed, it has been a wonderful idea to share my Debuff Immunity skill with them both, and I am eager to get my hand on other rewards from the System to empower them. It's a bit unfortunate that I am unable to get any good Daily Login rewards these days. Perhaps I should give Nicolae more cookies later when she is available?
That said, I wonder just how effective Debuff Immunity is for the Emperor. Will She be able to recover from Her internment on the Golden Throne, or has the damage inflicted by Horus proved too great? As a Perpetual, the Emperor should normally be able to recover even from clinical death. Nonetheless, Horus managed to inflict upon Her crippling wounds that remain for ten thousand years. From what I surmise, Horus must have inflicted a debuff so powerful that it disabled the Emperor's regeneration completely. Obviously, this could only have been the result of the Ruinous Power at work. If Debuff Immunity isn't enough to give the Emperor the required breathing room... Let's not think like that, worse comes to worst, I will have to fish for more rewards from the Daily Logins and Nicolae's Gacha. Surely there's something out there that can rejuvenate the Emperor of Mankind.
My instinct fails me here as it decides not to tell me anything about the Emperor's condition...