8th Month, 844.M41. Flamini, having just completed the Haemastamen implantation, probed his body with his psychic abilities.
It had been over two years since the Ossmodula implants. His long bones were prominent, and his ribcage had ossified.
His ribs had grown into bony plates, interlocking and overlapping seamlessly, granting him a skeleton far beyond any mortals, matched by his bulging muscles.
Flamini clenched his fist and walked towards the training deck.
To master the superhuman power inherited from his gene-father, he needed persistent training.
The image of his gene-father surfaced in Flamini's mind. On Manachea, he had witnessed his father's heroic figure crushing the enemy.
Flamini stopped before the weapon rack and picked up a single-bladed axe.
Although he foresaw that he would one day wield a scepter-like weapon, he knew he needed basic proficiency in all types.
Flamini swung the axe; the sharp sound of it cutting through the air whistled.
He then spun the axe in his hand, the light reflecting off the blade, gleaming.
Flamini held the axe horizontally before his chest, his left hand gently stroking the blade. Discontinuous images flashed rapidly through his mind.
He knew this weapon was forged from fine steel, its significantly curved blade crafted by Vostroyan artisans.
After familiarizing himself with the weapon, he approached the training cage.
Pressing the activation rune, the metal gate slid open.
Flaminis stepped inside, raising the axe one-handed, assuming a standard combat stance to face the enemy.
The previously stationary target dummies immediately moved, their rotating blades swiftly descending towards him.
Flamini blocked out the visions flashing in his mind. Relying purely on his physical senses, he tracked the trajectory of the target dummies' weapon swings and moved the axe to parry.
Loud clangs of metal on metal echoed in the training cage.
Five minutes later, after completing his one-handed axe defense drill, Flaminis locked the dummy's blade with his axe haft, stepped in, and struck its body just before the second blade could descend.
Two hours later, Flamini, having finished all his training, returned to his quarters.
The cramped quarters contained a large bed, mismatched with his physique.
Flamini picked up a data-slate and reviewed the operation briefing.
{Target Planet: Segmentum Obscurus, Coronid New Zone, Juya. 'Mitu xenos attacked Juya, resulting in the deaths of 174 miners.'}
{'In the last two months, the Mitu have launched a total of 29 attacks, large and small.}
Flamini had been with the Chapter for some time and knew that the other Chapters had already left the area formerly known as the Coronid Deeps, now renamed the Coronid New Zone.
Only the 6th Chapter had been ordered to remain.
He had also learned that the development of Juya was initiated under the directive of Chapter Master Pasqual.
Before their Gene-Father departed, he designated Cyclothrathine and Abyss Port as the focus of development; their construction was the priority in the Coronid New Zone's development.
'If Juya is personally chosen by the Chapter Master despite priorities elsewhere, its mineral wealth isn't the only reason.'
Flamini hadn't met the Chapter Master yet and knew little about Pasqual. He put himself in the Chapter Master's position to think.
'The Coronid New Zone is vast. The Chapter Master, having received this assignment, must feel pressure.'
'The best way to prove oneself is to build a world of one's own.'
'Juya is the perfect opportunity.'
After forming this speculation, Flamini returned his attention to the data slate.
{Primary Mission: Your task in this operation is to familiarize yourself with the battlefield environment under the guidance of instructors.}
{Secondary Mission: Due to the death of the 13th Company's Remembrancer, you are temporarily assigned to fulfill his duties.}
Flamini put down the data slate, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He yearned to wield his blade against the Mitu to avenge his followers and the billions of humans who died at the xenos' hands.
But he also knew that he, who hadn't even completed the transformation surgeries, was only going to Juya to experience the atmosphere of the battlefield; he wouldn't even see combat.
After fifteen ship-standard days, the fleet arrived at Juya.
Upon arrival at Juya, Flamini, like the others undergoing transformation, was not given the opportunity to go to the surface.
Fifth day, the ship's mess hall.
The future Shadows of Order queued up towards the servitor dispensers, filling their large bowls with nutrient gruel.
Since none of them had received the Preomnor implant yet, the nutrient gruel was diluted, with significantly lower calories and nutrients compared to that of the instructors.
Compared to the fare in many Legions, the daily meals for the Shadows of Order had slight variations.
Flamini believed this was deliberate by the Gene-Father, ensuring the Shadows of Order did not become detached from ordinary humans and allowing them to understand them better.
He scrutinized the company's menials. He saw obvious pride in the cook.
The cook shouted with a smile, "My lords, we have mango salad as part of the meal today."
"Rogue Trader Lewis von Valencius's transport ship delivered fresh fruits for the sons of the Monarch."
Flamini detected reverence towards them from the cook and other menials.
As he observed the Chapter's menials, a fellow neophyte from Manachia, familiar with Flamini, asked him.
"Flamini, any new news?"
"When can we go to the surface?"
Compared to others, Flamini was well-informed. He undertook some of the Remembrancer's duties, revising reports submitted by the company's Shadows of Order daily.
Others dared not ask the strict instructors, so they naturally turned to him for information.
Those around focused their attention on Flamini, hoping to get news from him.
"I think it will be a while longer."
"Probably after the surface situation stabilizes and an assessment is made, then we'll be allowed on the surface."
Hearing this, the group felt somewhat disappointed. The one who asked him pressed on unwillingly.
"How much longer? Give us an estimate."
Flamini intended to refuse, but suddenly an image flashed through his mind: him walking onto the flight deck, a timer above his head.
"Fifteen days from now."
"Excellent!" Flamini's words sparked enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
It wasn't until they noticed the instructor's sharp gaze upon them that they shut up and stopped shouting.
Flaminis felt the instructor's probing eyes.
'He probably didn't know this information.'
A moment later, Flamini scooped up the juice and pulp with a spoon and brought it to his mouth.
The ripe mango flesh was honey-soft and juicy, melting in the mouth. Paired with the distinctly granular crushed nuts, it created a multi-layered feast for the senses.
Flamini couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly, an expression of enjoyment on his face.
During his exile in the sewers, he subsisted on fungal rats.
Only after becoming a neophyte for the Shadows of Order did he occasionally get to eat foods like vegetables and fruits.
Fifteen days later, the landing gear lowered. Flamini disembarked from the lander and followed the instructor towards the mining area.
Based on the company's tactical briefing, he knew this mining area was newly opened on Juya. Compared to areas where attacks would yield greater results, the likelihood of an attack here was lower.
Moreover, this place was behind the front lines, clearly assessed by the company as low risk, hence only five instructor veterans and their charges were assigned to guard it.
As Flamini pondered, a rumbling sound erupted. Over a dozen metal machines emerged from underground.
Massive drill bits broke through the surface, countless oval spheres wreathed in flame churning through the rock.
A Terran-born instructor scanned them and explained.
"Those are Mole Drills, typically used for tunneling."
"Phase Field Generators allow them to bore underground. Thermal Cutters pulverize the rock."
He paused, then added:
"They can also be used to launch surprise attacks behind enemy lines, appearing directly in the enemy's rear."
"During the Unification Wars, the Salamanders..."
"Well, back then, they were still the 18th Legion. They used Mole Drills during the 'Storm Corridor' campaign to launch a surprise attack on the Satrap's fortress in the Caucasus Wastelands."
His expression turned serious as he continued:
"They encountered numerous Sentinel Robots in the underground corridors. Although they completed the mission, only a thousand out of twenty thousand survived."
"While this wasn't a failure, it reminds us to consider any tactic more comprehensively."
Everyone fell into thought after the instructor's words.
Suddenly, an image flashed through Flamini's mind. He then spoke up:
"Instructor, the Mitu's are launching a sneak attack through the excavated tunnels."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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