Pirate world

Ultima Segmentum, Mustran System-

A Lunar-class Cruiser entered the local Mandeville Point and arrived in the system.

This was a frontier system on the edge of the Ultima Segmentum, quite close to the Eye of Terror, making it a haven for Xenos and pirates.

The arrival of the Righteous Protector caught the pirates' attention, but when they noticed that it appeared to be a lone Imperial Navy warship, they let down their guard.

The Righteous Protector sent a docking request.

"We request a berth here to take on essential supplies."

"No. We don't welcome Imperial scum here."

Admiral Spire surveyed the warships in the harbor. There was even a Mercury-class battlecruiser, a rare sight indeed.

"It doesn't matter whether you welcome us."

"But I doubt the Angels of Death aboard our ship will be pleased with your attitude."

With that, Admiral Spire cut the transmission.

Sure enough, before long, the pirates drove a fleet of bizarrely shaped Xenos ships out of the harbor, then hung an enormous banner in a highly conspicuous spot.

It read:

"Welcome to the Emperor's Angels of Death on their inspection of Mustran V Starport."

When the sons of the Blood Angels stepped down from the deck, they found the platform packed with people offering food and drink, warmly welcoming the Emperor's warriors.

Turning pirate and rebelling was no great issue. As long as they stayed out of trouble, the Imperium would scarcely notice them, and sometimes even needed their help.

But attacking the Emperor's Angels of Death?

Brother, how many lives did you have? Were you that eager to die?

Looking at the grand reception on the platform, the Blood Angels chose to overlook the Xenos merchandise that had been hastily hidden away.

Captain Annoth also knew what people living on frontier worlds were like, and did not investigate further.

"Thank you for your assistance. Baal will remember this kindness," Captain Annoth said.

"It was the least we could do, my lord. You're too kind. Please forgive us for being unable to take you directly back to Baal," Captain Spire replied courteously.

"You've already done most of the work. Baal is quite close from here."

Meanwhile, Bona was also seeing off Yvraine and her companions.

Bona gave them a small pouch of... things that were widely accepted within the Imperium.

There was Throne Gelt, suitable for transactions among the upper classes. These few golden coins, supposedly bearing the Emperor's blessing, had enormous denominations. They were enough to purchase almost a continent's worth of territory on a remote planet.

There were also Promethium Batteries for trading with the dregs at the bottom of society. A single small battery was enough to make a gang risk their lives for you.

"If you have the opportunity, I hope you'll visit us. My lord is still very eager to meet you."

Yvraine recalled the gentle, refined, kindly, and handsome Guilliman. Her face flushed slightly, but she concealed it in an instant.

"Mm..."

"Thank you for your help, human. Craftworld Biel-Tan will remember your friendship," said the Visarch.

Bona said nothing, merely smiling at the Visarch.

Grandpa Malcador had told him.

When it came to the Aeldari, he was not to believe a single word they said.

Once he grew powerful enough, Bona would sooner or later gather a fleet, blow every Aeldari craftworld to pieces, then bomb Commorragh, consigning that ancient empire to the dustbin of history once and for all.

After all, the prettiest Aeldari were dead Aeldari. The only Xenos humanity could face with a smile were those that posed no threat to humanity.

After separately seeing off the Blood Angels and Yvraine, the Righteous Protector gathered a few supplies and set sail.

Naturally, this was done under the pretext of "supporting the Angels of Death in their great endeavors."

Faced with such blatant extortion, the pirates were, of course, delighted. At least these Angels of Death had not openly come to shake them down.

Some desperately impoverished Angels of Death were known to bleed pirates dry on a sustainable basis to acquire supplies and equipment.

The Righteous Protector entered the Warp once more, this time arriving at the Maelstrom.

The Maelstrom Zone was a small region of intense Warp activity that had existed long before the Eye of Terror.

Although smaller than the Eye of Terror, the conditions within were no less horrific.

The Maelstrom was now occupied by a force known as the Red Corsairs, with a motley assortment of factions beneath its banner.

In short, there were worshippers of Chaos Daemons, battered remnants of the former Star Scar Claws, and an assortment of Xenos pirates and mercenaries, including Orks, Serpent People, Short People, Aeldari, and T'au, as well as various human factions driven there by Imperial persecution.

When Huron, the former Chapter Master of the Star Scar Claws, arrived in the Maelstrom with the Chapter's remnants, he and his battle-brothers swept through the Maelstrom Sector. He had spent most of his life fighting pirates.

After swiftly consolidating the local pirate forces, Huron, who understood the Imperium's corrupt institutions all too well, successfully swindled and plundered enough resources and slaves to establish and sustain the Red Corsairs Chapter.

Huron was clear and consistent in his rewards and punishments, establishing his rule in the Maelstrom through a system fairer than the Imperium's. He also selected talented individuals without prejudice, even if they had drawn swords against him only recently.

At the same time, Huron understood both the verminous nature of the High Lords of Terra and the lies of Warp Daemons, and always made his own choices.

So much so that even among Imperial loyalists, a fair number knew that if they were ever forced to turn to Chaos, Huron's Red Corsairs Chapter would be an ideal destination.

The existence of the Red Corsairs was like a cold blade, viciously tearing open the Imperium's scars and exposing the corruption and incompetence within.

This was also why Bona and his companions had come here to recruit.

Unlike the daemon-worshipping fools of the Black Legion commanded by Warmaster Abaddon, Huron's ranks contained far too many Loyalists forced into exile by the Imperium's corruption and suspicion.

They received a transmission as soon as they entered the Maelstrom Sector.

"Imperial Lunar-class Cruiser, state your purpose."

Captain Spire glanced at Bona, who nodded.

"We have no intention of engaging in hostilities."

"**(%...#&**...%"

A burst of static came from the other end before the connection cleared.

"Landing clearance granted. Landing location: CHKY-331."

The Righteous Protector slowly passed through the Spaceport, where all manner of warships lay docked.

Some bore the same gleaming Imperial Aquila as the Righteous Protector, while others were Chaos warships. There were even Aeldari, Ork, and assorted other Xenos vessels.

Bona glanced at the fortress in the distance. That should be Huron's fortress.

"Wake Bals. Let's go."