Chapter 18 Part 3

Chapter 18: Kronus: Aftermath

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Part 3

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Victory Bay

Kronus

Victory Bay was the next best thing to a ghost city. The streets were empty save for an odd patrol made of lucky soldiers who for one reason or another avoided the disease. Most of them were vehicle crews protected by all the purity seals affixed to their machines for the parade. Or mechanized infantry, riding in the troop compartments of their transports for the same.

They were now the only people available to keep the city under lock-down, while Astartes QRF units waited for any sign of trouble before deployment.

The citizens were either stuck at home, waiting their turn for treatment, at one of the many field hospitals popping up all over the place, or gathered at the nearest church if they were strong enough for it to properly pray to the Emperor.

Meanwhile, I had to run all over the place with my retinue, putting down fires.

We had to unfuck logistics mishaps because the people usually dealing with those were too sick to do it. On three separate instances, I had to speak to fired up mobs made by people who could barely stand. They claimed the disease was the Emperor's punishment for not purging Kronus from the Tau and demanded we let them go after the blue boys. I had to nip that talk in the bud because Tau Medicae and their human subverted auxiliaries just began to arrive in strength. The last thing anyone needed was a good old-fashioned pogrom.

"Anteas, speak with Captain Thule. I want the Tau presence centralized and under guard by your brothers. I trust their judgment and that they can follow orders." Even if those orders didn't make sense or they didn't like them. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to bust my ass making them and the Guard stop shooting at each other, the bastards!

"I'll do so." The Librarian looked around. "I must warn you, Inquisitor, that many elements within the Imperium would be ready to give the Emperor's mercy to those… tainted by Tau interference. Not just the people aligned by them, but those they will treat."

"I'll deal with those bastards when they turn up. The Emperor didn't intervene here twice, just for us to leave his people to die when we can do something about it!" I barely held myself back from biting off Anteas' head. He wasn't the first person to express such a sentiment, or even point out that my political capital might be better spent elsewhere.

Well, fuck them! They didn't have to endure the Emperor's attention and power twice! They had no bloody idea how far the Imperium had fallen, and what a mockery of His vision it had become. I was going to do my best to unfuck the damn place one problem at a time or die trying!

When I needed more political capital, well I would need to survive the next insanity that lands in my lap and that problem would likely take care of itself. I didn't even want to think about what I would find at Kaurava once I finally got there.

A Thunderhawk roared above us, hopefully signifying that Thule just dispatched some of his Astartes to babysit the Tau. Now, what was the next fire in need of putting down?

The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. It was late in the evening when we retreated to barracks set up near to the General's HQ, where Colonel Amudsen was likely even busier than us. I left most of my retinue to hit the mess hall and showers and went to see the Colonel. It was one of his people who guided us from one trouble spot to the next the whole day.

"Inquisitor, great work!" Amudsen greeted me with a tired smile. He looked almost as pale as the sick. However, in his case, it was a combination of his pale complexion and exhaustion. "I must say that without your intervention, things would have turned up ugly on multiple occasions."

My wings preened at that. I was beginning to accept my newfound status had a lot to do with resolving all issues today without having to shoot anyone. As soon as someone saw my glowing form, their attitude immediately softened and changed to be much more cooperative than one might expect.

"I've got mixed news. Two task forces arrived in the system earlier today. One is the first wave of reinforcements that should have headed our way soon after Inquisitor Vail's ship. While they're a bit late, the cruiser battle group is largely intact. They're bringing us five Guard Regiments – three Infantry, one Mechanized Infantry, and one Armored. They'll help us keep a lid on things until everyone is cleared for proper duty. They should be in orbit within the next thirty-four hours."

"That's good. How did they react to receiving situation reports from Kronus?"

"They demand to talk with Inquisitor Vail, who is currently undergoing surgery. I suggested I could patch them to you, however, they refuse to speak with anyone but her." Amudsen looked less than pleased at that.

I wasn't particularly happy either. This spelled trouble. "Why didn't you inform me earlier?"

"There isn't much you could do, and someone had to keep the city from burning down around our ears, sir. I'm taking full responsibility." Amudsen looked me straight in the eyes without a hint of fear. All I could see was grim determination and not a little resignation.

"If I was a less reasonable man, I would have you shot for keeping me in the dark, Colonel." I gave him my best disapproving look. "However, I'm feeling gracious today. Nevertheless, if you repeat this stunt, I'll have you shot on general principle, is that clear?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" The man quivered like a fresh recruit with a drill sergeant screaming in his face.

"What about the second group?"

"Several Temple Ships led by a light cruiser. We've had no communication from them since we sent them the situation reports."

Fuck me, it was the Emperor Botherers.

"Anteas, get me, Captain Thule, on the comm, now. Colonel, Hail the Armageddon, I need to speak with Captain Ignatius as well." I would need to talk with the Necrons too. Who knew what those crazy fanatics might decide to do?