"However, we haven't decided on a name for this special operations unit yet. Do you have any good suggestions, Mr. Horatio?" Rear Admiral Edward asked with a smile.
He wanted to give the young man in front of him a sense of participation in the decision-making for the lengthy project, and also to gauge his interest in the matter.
"How about Hellspawns, Your Excellency!" Horatio surprisingly said immediately, his tone firm and powerful.
"Hmm~ Where did that inspiration come from?" Rear Admiral Edward pursed his lips and nodded thoughtfully.
Commando means 'assault team,' pronounced as Ko-man-do.
In Chinese, it's translated as 'Jian Bing' (Vanguard/Pointman). Both English and French forces on Ancient Terra had such units.
During World War II, the British Royal Navy selected and formed the famous Commando special forces, the predecessor of the 'Red Devils' SAS Special Air Service, symbolizing the establishment of the world's first official special forces unit.
(PS: The Brandenburgers were the first special forces unit, but not the officially recognized first.)
They rendered outstanding service in North Africa, Operation Market Garden, Normandy, and the Liberation of France.
Soon, the French Navy also quickly formed an elite Commando unit under its command, participating in the counter-attack on France and multiple military operations in North and Central Africa.
"Since it's an elite unit under the Imperial Navy, it must have the courage to step into hell with both feet, even without ground reinforcements!"
"A good name." Rear Admiral Edward nodded objectively:
"This unit will be formed very soon, as the spearhead to uncover the conspiracy. Mr. Horatio, are you interested in joining in the future?"
"Gladly."
"Very good. Starting tomorrow, you will immediately begin military training. Do well, as there will be graded assessments. But you still have one more thing to do today."
"What?"
"There."
Edward raised his chin, gesturing behind Horatio: "Your uniform."
Horatio turned around and saw the uniforms placed separately on two hangers.
Both uniforms were impeccably pressed, clearly brand new and custom-made.
"You... prepared these for me?" Horatio walked forward, unable to suppress a small gasp of surprise, and reached out to pinch the hem of a garment.
The service uniform was made of solid, soft material, in the style of a 19th-century British short-waisted jacket. At first glance, it resembled the Modian Iron Guard's uniform, but it lacked shoulder tassels and featured the double-breasted design beloved by the Navy, in a void blue hue, looking dashing and capable.
Because Horatio was a prospective Sergeant, it was paired with a wide-brimmed, flat-topped military cap of the same color as the service uniform, resembling those of the British Royal Navy in World War II.
The other set was an impeccably pressed dress uniform, with gleaming silver sashes across the chest radiating a respectful glow, and crimson shoulder board tassels adding an inviolable sense of solemnity to the entire uniform.
It closely resembled British naval uniforms from the Napoleonic era, also featuring a double-breasted design, but short in the front and long in the back.
The front reached the abdomen, while the back hem fell just to the knee joint, making it dignified and solemn. It was paired with a soft and elegant naval bicorne hat, and the trousers were pure white, with two types of footwear available for different occasions: black high-top boots and leather shoes.
"How else will people know you are His Imperial Majesty's sacred currency without a uniform? Wear your dress uniform to report tomorrow, and after your surgery, leave a deep impression on your classmates."
"Surgery?"
"Of course, you'll undergo five minor surgeries, but they won't take long.
Bone reinforcement surgery will make your bones 50% harder than an average person's, preventing you from being crippled by impacts.
The internal coagulant implant will save your life if you're injured, helping you hold on until you're in the operating room.
Pain suppression surgery will make injuries feel as light as a mere scrape, reducing the weakening effect of pain on your combat effectiveness.
And the cardiac pump surgery will effectively improve your cardiopulmonary function, ensuring healthy breathing whether in the void or other harsh environments.
Psychic enhancement will make your reaction speed faster than an average person's, your will stronger, and your thoughts clearer. In my opinion, it's the most important surgery, effectively reducing the probability of corruption during Warp travel and preventing you from appearing too clumsy or slow when facing Chaos Space Marines."
"Truly five surgeries fitting for the Navy."
"Be prepared, Mr. Horatio."
Rear Admiral Edward straightened his back solemnly and walked over to Horatio: "From the clues collected by the intelligence department, what you've experienced isn't a coincidence, but a conspiracy that began eight years ago. But we need to investigate more to uncover the truth.
The shadow of Chaos is lurking over Abyss Port, and dark claws are reaching for the fleet.
Be prepared to find it, cut it off, and survive."
The Rear Admiral patted Horatio's shoulder: "Then earn enough academic credits to become a Midshipman. Even greater crises await you in the future. This process will not be smooth sailing."
Horatio took a deep breath and saluted.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who knew that Chaos had already made many moves in preparation for the 13th Black Crusade.
Warmaster Abaddon's ambition was known to all, and everyone knew that his 13th holy war would one day return with the minions of Chaos. The Gothic Fleet was particularly sensitive to this.
Even if Horatio knew the timeline was 999.M41, simply stating it would be useless.
Because Cadia had been on maximum alert for thousands of years, deploying an unprecedentedly powerful military force, even in official records, Abaddon, who launched the 13th Black Crusade, had a tough time.
All high-ranking Imperial officials knew what would happen there in the future. A mere verbal suggestion would not only fail to gain attention but would also attract trouble from the Inquisition.
The best way was to use the Imperial Navy as a springboard to expand the combined air and ground forces, centered around the Gothic Fleet, as much as possible over the next decade or so.
To inject new variables into this crucible of Chaos and break the seemingly flawless schemes of the Chaos Gods.
As a transmigrator, Horatio had a plan in mind:
Ideally, he should defend Cadia. Of course, this was almost impossible.
Even if it couldn't be held, after the Great Rift formed, he would help the Segmentum Obscurus, which was the frontline of the Imperial Shadow War, to firmly hold out and repel attacks even without support from Terra and the Imperial Sanctum.
The Segmentum Obscurus, a strategically vital area, must not be lost. It contained strategic strongholds like the Calixis Sector, the Kronus Expanse, and the Gothic Sector.
It also had famous giant Forge Worlds like Sepra-Mundi, Gothic, and Lucius.
And there were Astra Militarum recruitment worlds like Vostroyan, Modian, Cadian, Lanorla, and Syntilla.
This sector was also the primary area of attack and contention for major Chaos forces like the Death Guard, Iron Warriors, Black Legion, and Thousand Sons after the Great Rift formed.
In the latest plot he had seen before coming to this world:
Modian's surface had been overrun by the Thousand Sons Legion, and the entire planet was shrouded in the bizarre blue terror of the Ruinous Powers, with tens of thousands of transport ships evacuating Modian.
Although it was still contested, Modian's ultimate fate was unknown.
But with Modian, the gateway, bogged down, Chaos had already pointed its blade towards Sepra-Mundi.
The fall of the great Segmentum Obscurus Naval Headquarters was only a matter of time, and large numbers of personnel and supplies were being moved eastward to the Gothic Fleet's naval headquarters in Abyss Port, displaying a 'beauty' reminiscent of Generalissimo Chiang's wartime strategy.
If Abyss Port also fell, then Blood Angels Chapter Master and Regent of the Imperium Nihilus, Dante, would be caught between two fires.
He was already overwhelmed by the Leviathan Hive Fleet and Khabandha, the Bloodletter of the Crimson Lord, making it difficult to cope with such a dire situation without reinforcements.
However, this couldn't be blamed on the Imperial forces.
To defend such a vast sector and resist so many terrifying enemies amidst the chaos of a lost Astronomican required an extremely large, powerful, confident, and unified armed force, otherwise, they would quickly be picked off one by one.
Since the Gothic Fleet already had this intention internally, it was a perfect opportunity for him to ride this strong wind, brave the waves, and make some bold and innovative ideas, pushing the grey line of the Codex.
[I wonder if, given the current situation, my family's naval Anointed, Ancestor Spire, will still emerge from the Warp's waves after the galaxy is torn apart...]
However, the most pressing matter at hand was to first find out what conspiracy the Evil Cultists who kidnapped him had against the Gothic Fleet.
"Put on your dress uniform, Mr. Horatio. We eagerly await the birth of a soldier."
Rear Admiral Edward, with his hands behind his back, prepared to leave.
"Your Excellency," Horatio called out, relaying the intelligence he had obtained from the Half-cat person girl in F-4 Block.
From the moment they met, Horatio had been observing Rear Admiral Edward's words, deeds, and every move, for a long time.
His intuition and reason told him that this person was trustworthy and loyal to the Imperium.
The Rear Admiral listened in silence, then took a deep breath and nodded gravely.
"Excellent intelligence. These elusive fellows have been bothering us for a long time.
This time, they extended their claws to Rear Admiral Alexander Hood's daughter. The Rear Admiral is very angry.
He has already dispatched people to sweep the abandoned chapel in K-7 Block, which was a sacrificial pawn, making us think we had destroyed them and letting our guard down."
The Rear Admiral looked into Horatio's eyes: "I am certain this is a trick, and your intelligence just corroborates my view.
At the same time, the half data-slate Farida submitted is also being deciphered. From the known information, we can infer that this force spans the Upper, Middle, and Lower Hives, and may even include many Imperial officials in Abyss Port."
[It really came in handy. As expected of wetware technology, it still works even with half of it missing.]
It was truly a wise decision not to give up on that half of the intact data-slate at the time.
Horatio felt relieved.
"The whole matter won't be that simple. The threat we've encountered this time is different from before. I even suspect that Evil Cultists of different faiths have united."
"United? So it's not just those who worship the Ruinous Powers of Pleasure?"
[No wonder those who believe in Pleasure are getting involved with the Bloodletters.]
"Someone wants to cause a major incident, but the clues are too fragmented. The specific situation is still under investigation by the Navy, and we have already paid a considerable price for it.
Your intelligence will be very useful, Mr. Horatio. Once I'm done, I will apply for a special commendation and academic credits for you at the academy."
"Thank you, Your Excellency Peru."
Rear Admiral Edward gave Horatio a cap-touch salute and walked out, leaving Horatio space to change.
Horatio took the magnificent dress uniform from the hanger. The set came with a shirt and vest.
He finally took off the clothes that once belonged to Rear Admiral Hood and put on his own true military uniform.
Horatio stood before a wall mirror, adjusting his collar, wearing the formal black leather shoes. He smoothed down the well-fitted and magnificent double-breasted uniform, its stiff tails gently swaying with his movements, like nimble swallowtails.
Finally, he solemnly placed the bicorne hat horizontally on his head.
This type of hat could be worn either horizontally or vertically.
Usually, when on duty on the bridge, wearing it vertically could block the glaring light of the stars.
When holding a rifle, wearing it horizontally would not obstruct aiming.
"Truly stunning." Horatio couldn't help but murmur, looking at himself in the mirror.
The 16-year-old youth was one meter eighty tall, with a slender and tall physique. He straightened his back slightly in front of the mirror, his feet together, toes splayed, looking very much like a staff officer.
If he improved his diet and continued to exercise to become more robust, he would surely possess even more military charm.
[Almost ready. Time to go out and let Your Excellency Peru and his family see.]
Horatio took a few deep breaths, allowing his demeanor to become more natural and solemn.