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When your battle brothers have their own little sidekicks, and those sidekicks need weapons, and you happen to be a blacksmith, the work orders start piling up.
Although Ignis already had experience making weapons for Embo, crafting guns for tiny, one-meter-tall smart robots with ears sticking up was another headache entirely.
Especially when the technical specifications they provided were difficult to meet.
Gotthardt wanted an automatic rifle for his Bangboo, using the same bullets as Embo's gun. He specifically requested a chainsaw bayonet attached under the barrel for close combat. Cerakos, on the other hand, ordered a longsword—or rather, a longsword-sized for his Bangboo—and explicitly requested that it match the appearance of one used by the Primarch Sanguinius
The request was somewhat outrageous, but considering how Space Marines can be obsessively attached to their gene-seed, Ignis did his best to make a weapon that at least looked seventy percent like the original.
Come to think of it, he hadn't even seen what their Bangboos looked like yet…
Today, the three cousins had agreed to meet, and Ignis was going to deliver the completed weapons, which was also a chance to see their Bangboos firsthand.
Judging by the weapons, Gotthardt likely modeled his Bangboo after his Imperial Fist Chapter—much like himself—while Cerakos… surely he wouldn't make a Sanguinius-style Bangboo, right? That would be almost sacrilegious.
Using his HIA investigator credentials, Ignis and Embo passed through metro security with their weapons and boarded the train. They transferred at Lumina Square Station, with the meeting spot in the Faunus Quarter, inside a warehouse rented by Belobog Heavy Industries.
During the transfer, The Salamander spotted two acquaintances: Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, both in casual clothes.
Even in plain clothes, the two officers didn't relax in the slightest. Ignis noticed them discreetly scanning passengers several times. Qingyi, in shorts and a T-shirt, waved at Ignis, while Zhu Yuan sighed, looking utterly exhausted.
"Didn't expect to run into you here," Ignis said, stepping forward. "Are you on a mission?"
"Not exactly. Zhu Yuan had too much accumulated leave, so she had to use some," Qingyi said, tilting her head to look at the giant, then letting her gaze fall on Embo. "Your little counterpart?"
"Embo. I'm not sure which department issued it, but the upper echelons of New Eridu assigned it to me," The Salamander explained plainly.
Qingyi picked Embo up, scrutinizing him. "The base model is Agent Bu. Definitely not a Bangboo you can buy in stores. Looks like you've started cooperating with the city council somewhere we didn't know about?"
"Not sure it counts as cooperation, but at least we're not enemies," Ignis replied, glancing at Zhu Yuan. "About before… sorry you lost so many colleagues."
He only realized as he spoke that Qingyi shook her head, signaling him not to mention it.
Hearing the Salamander's words, Zhu Yuan let out a heavy sigh. "Sorry? Sorry doesn't help. My colleagues suffered heavy losses; the entire Criminal Investigation Special Response Team is almost gone."
Her eyes were bloodshot, exhaustion and pain written all over her face. Ignis wanted to say something comforting, but the capable officer just sighed again and continued.
"At least we prevented the situation from getting worse and saw how dangerous the new enemy is. Ignis, thank you. Without you and your friends, I don't know how this disaster would have ended."
Receiving her thanks made the Salamander uneasy. The Special Response Team officers had left few survivors. They were brave and passionate, performing admirably against Slaanesh forces, but the situation was simply too dire. Most officers didn't survive, either consumed by the Chaos gods or dying from wounds.
Still, as mortals with limited firepower, the officers had done everything within their power. They may have fallen, but their honor shone. Even an Arbites Arbitrator wouldn't have done better.
"Sorry for exposing you to such dangerous forces. I should have warned you to prepare heavier firepower," Ignis said, feeling guilty.
"Honestly, as officers, we mobilized all available firepower. After all, we have Razor as a precedent," Zhu Yuan said with a faint, grim smile. "But compared to the enemy, our firepower is still too weak. After this incident, I heard the city council will increase the budget and allow the Public Security to purchase more heavy equipment."
"Though I'm not sure how effective that heavy equipment will be against foreign Chaos gods and their followers, it's definitely better than what we currently have."
Her brow remained furrowed. Even on leave, Zhu Yuan's mind was still immersed in work.
"Zhu Yuan," Qingyi said, patting her on the waist, "aren't we supposed to visit your parents today and have a meal? You look like this, they'll worry."
Hearing her partner's words, Zhu Yuan patted her own face, trying to look relaxed. Of course, it was just for show. Until she came to terms with the loss of so many colleagues, her mood couldn't truly improve.
"That looks much better," Qingyi said kindly. They had weathered many storms together, though this one had been particularly large and dangerous.
"By the way, how did your mother like the knife?" Ignis asked, recalling the custom kitchen knife Zhu Yuan had ordered for her mother.
"Very good," Zhu Yuan replied honestly. "My mother really liked it. Fits perfectly in hand."
Of course—it was hand-forged, of course it would feel right.
"Good," The Salamander said, looking at her. "If there's a chance, I'd like to invite you all for a meal to try my cooking. But the metro's here; I have to go."
"Mm," Zhu Yuan nodded. "If you ever need our help again, let us know. Don't lose faith in the Public Security just because of a heavy loss. We may be underpowered, but our resolve to protect the city and its people won't waver."
"Of course, I've seen it for myself," Ignis nodded. Qingyi put down Embo, and the two officers boarded the metro with their Bangboo.
"Brother, the one who held me felt… strange," Embo said as soon as they were on the train. "I feel like she's like me."
Not quite—Qingyi had said she was a larger, smarter Bangboo… this mechanical officer had a human exterior but was steel and circuitry inside.
"Officer Qingyi is similar to you—both smart robots—but hers is more advanced. Oh, and she's in plain clothes, so you can't see the joint marks on her limbs. Alright, stand firm. We're going to meet our friends."
Upon hearing they were meeting friends, the little Bangboo perked up. Ignis thought Bangboos had battle logic, but socially and behaviorally, they were like three-year-old kids.
After all, they are low-intelligence robots. Their default term of address for owners is 'parent'… Parent, huh. If I brought Jane Doe along with Embo, would that make us a family of three?
Ignis pondered this all the way until they got off the metro.
The warehouse was in a distant area, requiring a bus transfer after leaving the station—about two hours one way. The Salamander couldn't help but wonder when Von Lycaon would fulfill his promise to help finish the motorcycle. Public transit was convenient, but a personal vehicle would be better.
After getting off in the warehouse district, Ignis located the warehouse where Gotthardt's Bangboo rested. The old warrior was training a Bangboo.
"I say, why are you so weak? Look at your armor! You're supposed to be a warrior tough enough to withstand wind and rain!" Gotthardt opened the Dreadnought's sarcophagus armor panel, looking stern.
"When my little brother delivers your weapon, you'll need to train even harder! At least reach the standard I set!" His expression was serious. "Do you honor the paint scheme you wear? Remember when I told you its story?"
"I hope you live up to this paint scheme, and become a true—" he dragged the last word, staring at the small Bangboo, "Iron Warrior."
Silver metal with yellow-and-black caution accents, the little Bangboo sat on the ground, scratching its head, clearly confused. It admired the strict discipline of the Iron Warriors but its limited functions constrained it.
The tiny Iron Warrior was flustered, scratching its head helplessly.
Ignis couldn't help smiling at the little Bangboo with a pointed head and respirator faceplate. He had assumed Gotthardt would at least choose his own chapter's paint, but why an Iron Warrior? Weren't they mortal enemies of the Imperial Fists?
"Brother," Ignis greeted him. "Looks like I arrived first. Cerakos isn't here yet."
The Salamander tried to appear normal, but Gotthardt freely introduced the little one.
"Jarax. Give it the gear."
Seeing the Iron Warrior approaching, Ignis retrieved the rifle Gotthardt specified and told Embo, "Teach him how to use it."
Embo eagerly nodded and began instructing Jarax.
"I can see you have many questions," Gotthardt said, watching the two Bangboos. "Curious why it's in the form of an Iron Warrior, and not that of an Imperial Fist, right?"
"Simple," Gotthardt said with a healthy smile, looking at the nodding The Salamander. "Think about what a Bangboo calls its owner."
Parent… that's right. Wait, he's making a pun? Too twisted.
Seeing Ignis's face change, Gotthardt laughed heartily. "Exactly! No matter how much trouble you caused me before, here he follows my orders! What Iron Warrior? It still obeys me, calls me its parent!"
So even here, hierarchy matters…
"But this little one is far better than those bastards," Gotthardt sighed. "Although we're enemies, they were excellent warriors. Jarax will need training to catch up. Now that the weapon's here, his training regimen expands."
With the Bangboo's limited functions, training alone might not suffice… Ignis wanted to comment but swallowed the words seeing Gotthardt's excitement.
Considering the Steel Witch Grace's presence, maybe Jarax will transform inside and out over time. Only the Omnissiah knows what strange modifications will come.
"Oh, you two came early. The appointed time isn't here yet," Cerakos' voice came before he arrived.
He wore a black T-shirt with a gym logo, showing he had gone on-board. But the Bangboo he carried…
Golden wings, gold-and-red armor adorned with gemstones, flowing blond hair… a halo-like metal ring behind the head.
It was indeed resembled the silhouette of Sanguinius, without a doubt.
"Good boy! Do you know I've actually seen Sanguinius himself?" Gotthardt was stunned, unable to speak.
"Heh…" The Son of Sanguinius gave an awkward laugh, trying to brush it off. "Let's see the gear shall we?"
With a blank expression, Ignis handed the sword to the Bangboo in Cerakos' arms. The little one seemed excited, even nostalgic…
Nostalgic?
Ignis shook his head, thinking he was imagining things.
"I had a dream that night, and when I woke, I unconsciously gave them the image of my father… didn't expect it would actually work," Cerakos said, setting the Archangel on the ground.
"I thought I was ridiculous enough, but you… even more so."
Cerakos followed Gotthardt's gaze. "What the—?!"
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