Evan lounged at ease, with Uncle Fufuro's cake on his left. Ever since the old captain recommended it, he had bought the delicious cake several more times. Uncle Fufuro's catchphrase had now become, "Fufuro's special little cakes—even the Chapter Master says they're great." In Evan's right hand was juice squeezed from the fruit the formerly rebellious world had offered as tribute.
Evan had once thought, Surely forty thousand years ought to produce better food than my five-thousand-year culinary tradition. Who would have guessed? Every last point in their technology tree had perfectly avoided cooking and gone straight into Food Bars and canned food for space travel.
The most horrifying experience had been when curiosity struck him again and he tried the liquid food the Grey Knights normally ate. It really was as disgusting as spoiled egg whites mixed with cement.
Those in the know understood that the Grey Knights practiced asceticism and avoided fine food lest Slaanesh whisper temptations of gluttonous feasting into their ears. Anyone who didn't know would have assumed they were captured Chaos warrior prisoners. Their food was that horrifying.
Those banquets with the nobles really had been wonderful after all.
The alarms in the star system suddenly sounded. They had gone off quite a few times over the past few days, but those had all been small fry. This time... My lord Emperor has finally cast his gaze upon me! An enemy Strike Cruiser! Get them, brothers!
The patrolling Righteous Vigil and a squadron of two cruisers opened fire first. The enemy had barely emerged from the Warp and hadn't even had time to scan with their Auspex before they saw overwhelming fire pouring toward them. The distant Cruiser Squadron and Battle Barge squadron were also coming to support the attack.
Captain Arnos was ecstatic. At