40k: Midnight Blade

Chapter 257 28. Crow’s Visit (3)

The Rhino troop carrier rumbled and shuddered, rolling over the ground mercilessly.

This metal iron box has been transformed from the inside out by the technical sergeants of the fifth company of Night Blade.

The defensive capabilities have been greatly reduced, the engine has been replaced with a new model with stronger output, and even the tracks have been thickened and thickened more than a little. The original weapons have also been reduced as much as possible, everything is to make It becomes a speed monster.

After all, for the Night Blades, they don't really need to use the Rhino personnel carrier as a bunker or let it perform fire suppression, as long as they can quickly drop the company or hunting team to the mission location.

But because of this, the experience of sitting in this metal iron box is completely incompatible with the word "comfort".

No matter what the track runs over, people sitting in the car can clearly feel it.

"I might as well walk over there," Siani complained in a low voice. "These people in the fifth company are all crazy when they improve the vehicle. Do they not consider the shock absorption performance at all?"

Molec, the adjutant of the 1st Company, did not answer his words. He was too lazy to pay attention - Siani from Terra would complain when riding in any vehicle.

When riding in the modified Rhino personnel carrier, he complained that it was too steep. When riding in the Land Raider, he complained that it was like an iron coffin and too stuffy. When riding in the Spartan assault tank, he complained that it looked like a stupid big guy, which was completely inconsistent with him. temperament

Molec had reason to believe that Siani would complain even if he got on the hoverbike of the Imperial Guards one day.

Of course, he would pamper Siani, but his company commander would not.

Van Cleef looked over expressionlessly, and silenced Siani with just one look. And, he doesn't plan to stop there.

"You seem to have a lot of complaints about the technical sergeants, Siani." The first company commander crossed his hands, the military medals on his shoulders shining brightly. "I have begun to wonder if Iago Savitarion may have learned some of his habits from you."

"This is slander, my company commander." Siani quickly raised his hands from the restraints of the four safety straps to express his innocence. "I would never drive a chainsaw into dirt, sand or building materials like he did."

"But you will often throw bolters." The pharmacist Seile Donio sitting aside said quietly.

"I've seen it with my own eyes many times, Siani. You use up all the bullets, and then you throw it out and hit someone. You don't pick it up until you're done with the enemy."

Siani turned his head and glared at the pharmacist.

"Indeed." Molec immediately joined the battlefield. He nodded to Van Cleef and agreed with the pharmacist's words. "I testify that what Sile said is true, company commander."

Van Cleef silently placed his gaze on Siani's face, but the latter miraculously remained expressionless and even managed to argue for himself.

"The bolter is happy about this, have you ever seen him complain?"

"I'm afraid it just can't speak, Siani."

Van Cleef sighed and said nothing more, letting the topic end here. After a few minutes, the troop carrier finally stopped bumping. The metal door fell to the ground amidst the sound of mechanical operation, and the door turned into a downward path.

Walking out of it, Van Cleef immediately smelled a strange smell wafting in the air.

The wilderness of Nostramo was a poisonous no-man's land a few years ago, where only mutants and vicious beasts could survive.

The Adeptus Mechanicus changed the environment here, turning it from a poisonous mire and sand into a wilderness that seemed passable at first glance. Although there are still no plants growing that can improve the environment, at least it looks a lot better.

Light, fragmented by architectural details, falls on Van Cleef's face, turning it into a grotesque abstraction. The first company commander silently looked back and saw that more vehicles were heading here.

There are many different types, but most of them have been stripped of their weapons. After all, they were here for a celebration. If he had participated in the war, Van Cleef would not have come in a rhinoceros.

He would take the other thirty-nine people into the Mastodon and let it take them into the enemy's rear. That would be much easier than riding in a rhinoceros.

"Van Cleef." A voice came from his side. "Is all the first company here?"

"It still needs to be prepared, instructor." The first company commander turned around and replied, and was not surprised to see their instructor striding out of the darkness.

The dark shadow was not driven away by the light, but stayed in place like a living creature, waiting for Khalil Lohars' next call.

Van Cleef glanced at them, his fingers trembled slightly, and he felt a throbbing desire to call out. He forced himself to look back, only to find Khalil staring at him thoughtfully.

"Instructor?"

"It's nothing, Van Cleef." Khalil smiled slightly. "But I still need to remind you that darkness is still dangerous."

"I guess I won't use them," Van Cleef said, tensing his muscles. "Also, what about the Primarch Guard?"

"Temporarily mobilize soldiers from the 1st and 8th companies to form a new formation. Put on Terminator power armor. The servitors should have prepared them."

Khalil shook his head as he spoke - No matter how the company commanders persuaded, requested, or even threatened with implicit pleading, Konrad Coates remained unmoved. In fact, the Lord of the Night's original words even seemed cruel to a certain extent.

'Do you really think I need a guard? Do you really think I need protection? ’

"Understood." Van Cleef nodded and began to use the communication device hanging on his collar to communicate with Enric Barbatos, the commander of the Eighth Company. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Khalil finally observed him carefully for a while.

Van Cleef wore a standard old-fashioned dress with a strong military style. Unlike most designs that are popular today, this gown is very old-school and exacting in most of its details.

Whether it is the two gold cuff studs on the cuffs or the waist without any wide design, it all reveals a simple feeling. The entire dress has no embellishment except for the three colors of black, blue and white.

In fact, compared to it, the military medals hanging on the right chest and shoulders on both sides are more eye-catching, and one of them is particularly precious. It has a silver base and the main body is a golden lightning bolt.

Khalil looked at it for a moment, then looked away. He hooked his fingers, and the darkness rushed up excitedly, wrapping around his body, causing him to completely disappear in the next second.

Van Cleef watched him leave, resisting the instinct that surged in his heart, and continued to argue with Enric Barbatos - "No, the Guard only needs a hundred people, and your Eighth Company can only occupy them. half."

On the other end of the communication, Enric Barbatos cursed Terran slang in a gloomy tone.

——

Conrad Coates stood at the top of the platform, looking down. The night wind in the wilderness blew the black hair on his forehead, making his eyes look a little weird.

The servants of the legion and the helpers temporarily recruited from the hive were setting up the venue. Food and drinks were placed on long tables covered with black and white tablecloths.

Tens of thousands of candles were placed on the steel candlesticks that had been prepared long ago, and they would be lit as soon as the banquet began. At that time, the lights will be turned off and flickering candles will take their place.

The managers of each hive city and some workers who performed well on weekdays were also invited to the scene. They also had a long table.

Staring at all this, the Lord of Night nodded with satisfaction.

He said softly: "This is the first time this place has been commissioned, Corax. It was the Ultramarines' idea to build it, and I wasn't going to agree to it, but Lucretius Corvo convinced me. Any Legion needs one. A grand hall to entertain cousins ​​or anyone else worthy of the occasion, he said, and I admit he has a point."

Corvus Corax nodded, looking a little uncomfortable. Curze could see why—what else could it be than the sumptuous dress he was wearing?

This robe was undoubtedly prepared by the XIX Legion, or rather the Raven Guard, for their Primarch. The main color is melancholy black, with exquisite white embellishments in some places.

Coates couldn't quite describe what the dress looked like, but he could use one word.

Fulgrim-esque.

"Just relax, brother." The Lord of Night withdrew his gaze, not intending to put any more pressure on Corax. "There is absolutely no need for you to be nervous. Those who will be on stage to compete on behalf of their respective legions later should be nervous. Do you see that sand pit over there?"

Corax nodded, of course he could see it. That sandpit and this magnificent building have an incompatible temperament. Even a blind person can smell the roughness and blood it brings.

"I stole this idea from Angron." Konrad Curze grinned.

"He did not completely deny Nuceria. Under his improvement, some traditions have become one of the unique cultures of war hounds today, such as this, the duel pit. When dealing with war dogs, it is inevitable to go in and give it a try. If If you want to cooperate with Angron in the future, you will probably be invited to the Unwavering Resolve."

"Can I refuse?" Corax frowned. "I know about dueling cages, training rings and similar traditions but this dueling pit you're talking about makes me feel a little bad."

"That's up to you, brother," Curze said patiently and gently. "I know what you are thinking, but I don't want to use my opinions to change your impression of Angron. It's better to let you deal with him yourself. Then -"

He turned his head, changed the angle, and leaned his back on the railing of the high platform: "——Who did you choose?"

There is one more chapter.