The Imperium's Frontier

Imperial Date: 997.M41

Ultima Segmentum, edge of the Orion Arm.

Beneath the steel rectangular vault lay a multitude of things; countless mechanical devices combined and coordinated with one another, while innumerable Machine Spirit, blessed by the Adeptus Mechanicus, worked side-by-side. Under the operation of Imperial Navy technicians and crew, this massive void behemoth was driven and set into motion.

Cold sunlight shone into the bridge. On the Lord Commander's dais, Captain Cole Quirk stood with his hands behind his back, gazing through the massive glass pane at the dark universe in the distant void.

The double-headed eagle of the Empire shone brilliantly above his head, and his dark blue Imperial Navy uniform was almost as somber as the cosmos itself. Unlike most naval captains, Cole did not wear the ceremonial longsword that symbolized aristocratic status, but rather a Chainsword and a Bolt Pistol.

To most captains, this attire—identical to that of the Astra Militarum—would be considered a disgrace. Believe me, friend, the Navy is very happy, and indeed eager, to draw a line between themselves and the grunts of the Astra Militarum. Even though they both fight for the Empire, this divisive antagonism persists, and has existed for more than a millennium.

Captain Cole walked to the edge of the command dais, looked down at his bridge from behind the railing, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Report. I need to know the readiness of this giant ship," Captain Cole said in a voice that sounded slightly young. His age was far below the average for his position, but clearly, his subordinates would not belittle his orders because of it.

"Cobalt replenishment is proceeding smoothly, and fusion fuel has been injected into the engines, my lord. The Tech-Priest reports that the armor plating is basically repaired, but they suggest we make port as soon as possible to conduct formal repairs and appease the Machine Spirit," the Chief Officer said, turning her head to look up at the master of the ship on the dais.

Cole tilted his head slightly and raised a hand. A holographic display projected from a flying Servo-skull, and countless data points and icons appeared before him like a complex tapestry.

The captain adjusted the interface skillfully and rapidly until he found what he was looking for.

He reviewed the data interface before him, scanning line after line of chaotic information. By the Emperor, the Void Shield was fully charged. He had had enough of the feeling of being completely exposed to the void; every second of it made his heart race.

But now, that fear had vanished. This Mars-class Battlecruiser was ready once more; she would face the enemies of The Emperor fully armed.

"Captain, we have received a vox-message," an uncomfortable voice said. Truth be told, the sound was almost hair-raising.

Cole turned to look at the servitor. Its body was covered in cables, and its voice emanated from the speaker on its facial mask—a cold, eerie, vibrating tone, much like a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, as if it were the machine itself.

The servitor stood quietly a few paces away, like a machine waiting to be awakened. Cole looked at it without much thought; he had long since passed the stage of contemplating the past lives of such beings.

"Speak," he commanded curtly. The servitor tilted its head slightly, and the vibrating tone echoed from the speaker: "We have received orders from Lord Hegart. The Inquisitor demands that we proceed to the Victoria System to resolve the trouble there."

Cole frowned slightly and turned to face the soulless body. "Did the Inquisitor provide a reason?" "No, my lord." "I understand."

Cole turned away and looked at the helmsman below. "Set a course for the Victoria System in the Ultima Segmentum. Activate the Warp engines and prepare the ship for jump."

"As you command, my lord," the helmsman replied, then began to turn the ship's wheel before him. The massive hull began to rotate accordingly. The captain turned his head to the other side. "Auspex Officer, calculate the stellar gravity and locate the Mandeville Point." "Yes, my lord."

As Cole spoke, he pressed a button on the complex console at his side as if it were a part of his own body, and accurate communication audio flashed from it.

"Navigator, prepare to enter the Warp. Identify the Astronomican coordinates, now." "Yes, Captain, I shall guide us," the Navigator said in a mystical, rambling voice.

Cole withdrew his fingers and turned to walk toward the steel archway behind the captain's throne. "Activate the Geller Field. May The Emperor protect us."

A surge of energy light flickered behind him, and the captain walked into the darkness beneath the arcade amidst that radiance.

He was very familiar with this warship; after all, it was his ship. Although he was not her first captain, he could proudly claim to be the captain who understood her best in all her history.

He knew every part of her, every corridor, every boiler, every storage room and flight deck, every macro-cannon and Lance array unit. He knew her; every inch of her steel skin was clear to him.

Therefore, Cole never got lost. Even without a map, he could move quickly through the countless corridors and stairwells. And now, he knew his path and his destination clearly.

He walked through the massive corridor on the upper side of the hull. It was like a palace; high vaulted ceilings supported a vast expanse, with countless statues lined up on both sides and innumerable banners hanging from above, symbolizing countless honors and victories.

Cole's military boots clicked on the white marble floor, his footsteps echoing in the vast hall. There was no one here but him, save for the occasional crew member or servitor.

But soon, this impression was proven wrong. A much heavier set of footsteps drowned out his own. He stopped, pausing before the tall giant.

The giant also stopped, turned his head to look down at Cole, and then revealed a sincere smile. "Ah, Captain Cole, it is good to see you."

Cole stood at attention and saluted, looking up at the giant's resolute face. "And you, Lord Olaf." "In private, just call me Olaf, my dear friend."

The Astartes warrior in power armor smiled. His pitch-black armor did not reflect a single ray of light, save for the shoulder pad on his right side, which symbolized the glory of his former chapter, reflecting a cold, icy sheen from its silver-gray surface.

"You are as tough and cunning as the wolves of Fenris, Captain," Olaf said with a smile. Cole nodded slightly. "My honor, Olaf. Where are your brothers? I did not see Lord Lancelot or Lord Ragnar."

"Ah, the wolf cub and the little lion are sparring in the training cage. I suspect they've clashed over some terrible joke again," the old wolf sighed and shook his head helplessly, but then a smile returned to his face. "But regardless, we are still brothers, are we not? So Bell has already gone ahead, lest they make a mess of blood that no one is around to clean up."

"Of course. Have you seen the Inquisitor? I have something I need to tell him," Cole asked. His neck was forced to tilt back quite high, which was very uncomfortable; after all, that chaplain armor was truly massive.

Olaf leaned down considerately to make it easier for him. He looked toward the door at the end of the corridor—a massive golden gate, very similar to the Eternity Gate of Terra, likely a replica, though Cole had never truly seen the Eternity Gate, nor had he ever been to Terra.

"I believe he is there. The Inquisitor likes to spend some time alone after a battle." "Thank you. Go find your brothers, Olaf. I don't want them tearing up the training servitors again; the Master of Ordnance has already complained to me quite seriously."

The old wolf laughed again and stood up to his full height. "I shall do my best, Captain." "Of course."

They parted ways, and soon Cole reached the golden gate. He looked up at the towering doors. At the top of the gate, the Golden Throne and the radiant Master of Mankind were depicted there, and beneath them were countless carvings of warships, stars, and planets, as if He were the master of all things in the universe, reigning above the endless, brilliant stars.

Cole cleared his throat and looked at the servitor embedded in the wall beside the gate. "Open the gate," he commanded curtly. The servitor raised its head to gaze at him, and then came a mechanical rumble. Countless hydraulic structures and mechanical transmission systems worked in unison, and amidst the low roar of the Machine Spirit, the golden gate was slowly opened.

Cole walked inside the moment the gate opened wide enough for a person to pass through. He had no patience to wait for this giant gate to open slowly with all its ceremony; every Sunday, waiting for this door to open with the crew made him bored to death.

Cole strode through the magnificent cathedral. This was the uppermost level of the entire warship. When you looked up, you could see the entire galaxy; countless brilliant stars twinkled overhead. It was the most gorgeous mural in the world, the most spectacular and magnificent masterpiece.

Every time Cole gazed at the stars, he would tremble with excitement. He longed to conquer and explore those stars, just like that great man from his hometown of Macarius, extending the great will of humanity and The Emperor to the farthest frontiers.

In a sense, he had indeed succeeded. After all, he was no longer a formal naval captain under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Navy; he had great navigational autonomy and could explore those stars—well, not entirely, as it also depended on whether this bastard was willing.

Cole stopped beside a pew and looked down at the man sitting in the front row, reading a book before the holy icon of the great Emperor. He kept his head down, reading the old book in his hands with great interest, his Chainsword and Bolt Pistol hanging at his waist, waiting for the next roar and thunder.

"Inquisitor Vito, we have trouble," Cole said. Vito looked up and glanced at him, then stopped his fingers from turning the page. "Have we run into an Ork Gargant fleet again?" "Thank the Emperor, no. I do not intend to charge an Ork fleet with a single ship again, Vito. Do you know how much damage those scumbags caused to my ship?"

"Alright, Cole, didn't we win? Besides, if we hadn't taken out the Ork pirate boss, the Armageddon fleet would have been done for."

Vito said with a smile, then pointed to the book on his lap. "This book is quite interesting, you should find time to read it."

Cole sighed and looked at the crimson-bound book. "What is it about? You know I'm only interested in star charts and books on navigational exploration." "Yes, I know, my friend. Believe me, this book has everything you like."

"Who wrote it? Perhaps I know the name." "Hmm, I doubt it. His name is Kyril Sindermann, a figure from a long, long time ago—from the era of the Great Crusade and the 63rd Expedition Fleet."

"The Great Crusade? I don't recall the existence of the 63rd Expedition Fleet." "That's normal."

Vito said, closing the book and leaning back in his chair to gaze at the icon of The Emperor. "So, what's the trouble?"

Cole stood beside him with his hands behind his back, looking up at the golden, shimmering icon of The Emperor as well. "Old man Hegart sent us an astropathic message saying the Victoria System needs us. He didn't specify the reason, only that you might find something there that interests you."

"A lousy mission." Cole sighed. Vito chuckled, stood up, and patted Cole on the shoulder. "Alright, Cole, I assume you've already plotted the course, right?" "Obviously."

Vito smiled silently and walked past Cole. The latter turned his head to watch Vito heading toward the door and shouted, "Go to the training deck and keep an eye on those big guys! Don't let them break my equipment again!"

"I'll do my best, Captain." Vito's voice drifted from afar, gradually fading into the end of the corridor.

Cole sighed helplessly and glanced at the icon of The Emperor once more. "The Emperor protects."