CHAPTER 101 — Titan
"Forward," Gaius ordered, his voice steady.
Titus and Metaurus formed up at his flanks. The Bladeguard moved behind them, spreading outward to maintain a protective formation. Their boots clanged against the steel plating of the ruined industrial platform, echoing across the massive, open structure. Sparks flickered from exposed conduits, and the distant screech of Tyranid creatures carried across the open space.
The Multiversal Chat members walked with them. Only Gaius could see them, but they stayed close, moving naturally as if occupying the same physical space. Tony walked, Mindy hopped lightly as she followed, Saeko moved calmly, Diana observed every corner, and Naruto scanned ahead with bright, curious eyes.
Gunfire cracked in the distance.
Gaius paused. The formation stopped just as quickly, following his lead without hesitation.
More shots followed, rapid galvanic fire, sharp and crisp against the backdrop of organic screeches.
"Contact ahead," Titus said.
They moved toward the noise. A squad of Skitarii Rangers was pinned behind a stack of twisted metal crates and debris, red cloaks torn, armor plates dented or cracked. Several Rangers lay dead nearby, bodies ripped open, limbs partially devoured. Smoke and dust swirled in the open air, illuminated by flickering industrial lights and the pale glow of the sky above the platform.
A Tech-Priest stood at the rear, firing a lasgun at the Gaunts swarming across the open platform. The creatures crawled along steel walls and shattered catwalks, hissing as their claws scraped against the metal.
One Gaunt lunged straight toward the Tech-Priest.
Gaius stepped forward. His warhammer lifted smoothly, then swung down in a single, precise arc. The strike hit the Gaunt with perfect force, crushing it instantly. It was so controlled that not a single drop of the xenos' blood sprayed toward the Tech-Priest.
Titus and Metaurus fired disciplined bursts, each shot piercing a Gaunt's skull or spine, dropping them before they could reach the Rangers.
The Bladeguard joined in, their pistols tearing through the xenos one after another.
With the Astartes present, the tide shifted immediately.
The Skitarii rallied. They tightened their formation, adjusting to cover Titus' flank. Every galvanic round was precise, each shot landing with machine accuracy.
Within moments, the last Gaunt fell, twitching briefly before going still.
Silence returned.
The Tech-Priest straightened slowly, lenses focusing on Gaius with faint clicking sounds.
"The Angels of the Emperor…" he said mechanically.
Gaius nodded once.
"Clear the surroundings," he ordered.
Titus and the Bladeguard spread out, sweeping nearby halls. Brief bursts of gunfire echoed as they eliminated the last stragglers hiding in shadowed corners of the ruined platform.
The perimeter secured, Gaius approached the Tech-Priest. The Skitarii stepped aside respectfully, their movements stiff but disciplined.
The Tech-Priest ordered the Skitarii to bow to the Angels of the Emperor, a gesture of respect.
The Skitarii lowered their heads obediently, moving in unison.
The Tech-Priest then spoke to Gaius. "Your assistance is noted, Space Marine. State your purpose in this sector." His voice was precise, mechanical.
The armor Gaius wore was crafted from auramite, yet designed in the familiar Space Marine style. The Ultramarine symbol gleamed on his pauldron, but the golden plating was solid auramite rather than standard ceramite. The Tech-Priest paused, confused, he had never seen an Ultramarine like this, and he did not recognize Gaius at all.
Gaius ignored the question.
"Where is the Warlord-Class Titan Reaper currently located?"
For a moment, the Tech-Priest seemed to snap out of his trance, his mechanical lenses focusing intently on Gaius. "The Titan remains where it is most needed by the Omnissiah."
It was not an answer, it was carefully measured, evasive. The choice of words, the subtle hesitation in his movements all indicated avoidance rather than disclosure. He was deliberately withholding the information Gaius sought.
Behind Gaius, the Multiversal Chat reacted.
Tony rubbed his chin. "Hold on… what is this Titan thing? Is it like… a mecha?"
Mindy's eyes lit up. "Mecha?!"
Saeko nodded politely. "It might indeed be a mecha," she added, especially given their surroundings of metal structures and the presence of augmented Tech-Priests and Skitarii.
Naruto looked confused. "What's a mecha?"
Mindy turned to him seriously. "It's like Mr. Tony's armor… but very big."
Naruto blinked. "That's awesome!"
Diana watched their interactions with a small smile but said nothing
Gaius returned his attention to the Tech-Priest.
"Bring us to the Titan. Our mission is to guard it until the Princeps arrives."
The Tech-Priest tilted his head. "Identify yourself, Space Marine."
"I am Captain Gaius of the Ultramarines."
The Tech-Priest processed this. Ultramarines were known, respected. A Captain, especially commanding Bladeguard, held authority even the Mechanicus rarely challenged. But this golden armor… he did not recognize.
Still, he bowed slightly.
"If your mission is to guard the Titan, then assist me. I am heading toward its location."
"Then follow my command," Gaius replied. "And give us the directions."
The Tech-Priest accepted silently. He pointed forward, toward a massive structure visible through a broken section of the platform, a tall steel skyscraper with dark smoke rising from its side. The ruined Forge World stretched outward, with damaged platforms, scorched spires, twisted metal, and Tyranid bodies scattered across the ground.
"The Titan currently resides in the Titan Hangar. It was undergoing maintenance before the xenos attack disrupted operations."
Gaius looked ahead. "Then we move."
The path should have been straightforward. Instead, when the group turned down a broken transit corridor, a thick wall of greenish, swirling miasma blocked their way.
The floor was littered with Skitarii corpses, some still, others half-dissolved, metal fused with corrupted flesh.
Titus tapped the side of his helm. "Toxin saturation reading high."
Metaurus added, "Astartes can push through it."
The Tech-Priest did not argue. "The miasma is too thick. We should go around."
Gaius considered moving through anyway. He, Titus, and the Bladeguard could cross the miasma without trouble, but the Skitarii could not.
The Tech-Priest observed him quietly, reading the situation. "You require me to enter the Titan Hangar. It is locked. Only I can open it."
That ended the thought immediately.
"I see," Gaius said. "We take the long route."
The group changed direction, following the Tech-Priest around collapsed bulkheads, scorched platforms, and fallen catwalks.
As they advanced, a faint rumble shook the metallic floor.
Naruto looked up. "Is that an earthquake?"
Tony's projection frowned. "No… that's too rhythmic. Something is moving up there."
From cracks in the walls and shattered ceiling, tiny spores drifted down like drifting snow.
The Tech-Priest paused. "Bio-signatures increasing. Multiple."
Far ahead, shadows shifted across the broken platforms, small at first, then growing larger with each movement. The Hive Fleet was reacting, spreading tendrils of influence through the area, adjusting its formations. The Hive Mind had detected it.
Gaius could feel it and sense it, they are coming in countless number.
The Hive Mind knew exactly where he was heading, and it was already marshaling every available force to stop him.
It would not allow them to reach the Titan without a fight.
They reached a wide platform, open and exposed, sloping downward toward the hangar. The air felt colder here, carrying the metallic scent of scorched steel and burnt machinery. Gaius's instincts tightened.
Far in the distance, shapes crawled over collapsed scaffolds and twisted metal walls like spilled ink.
Ripper swarms.
Hormagaunts.
Termagants.
countless of small bodies surged, scrambling over each other, forming a growing wave that moved with singular purpose.
Titus noticed it. "Captain. Movement ahead."
Gaius looked toward the forming swarm.
The Hive Mind already knew their objective. If they reached the Titan and held it until the Princeps arrived, the efficiency of the Tyranids' planet-consuming operation would be slowed.
And it was gathering everything nearby to stop their march.
Gaius lowered his warhammer into his hand, grip firm.
~~~
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